I find it interesting that reports are coming out about the economic troubles that countries are having...........except Russia. Why? We destroyed the USSR economically....is it now their turn?
Russia decided to live on grains and natural resources, and hate the likes of Soros. So far they have lived within their means. However, if their imperial ambition acts up and corruption goes rampant again, they will fare no better than others currently in trouble.
Because Russia is swimming in cash, that's why. That "destruction of the USSR" that you speak of was like surgery of cancer after which the patient gets better.
USSR was half-dead by 1990, doomed by ineffective economy, lack of leadership, and by peripheral republics that took more than they produced. The dissolution of USSR allowed Russia to change the rules of the game overnight. In particular, republics eagerly went their own way; what happened to them is another interesting study, but the point is that Russia now has 1/3 of the population of the USSR, about 90% of the territory, and most of natural resources. Russia quickly repaid most of the debts and now collects money from energy-starved Europe.
Putin is a free-market supporter. That is why Russia is stronger now.