I remember reading a fact that if Russia hadn't left the Soviet Union, most of the Central Asian States would have remained in the Soviet Union.
What would be the impact of the Soviet Union still existing today under these conditions.
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Now the Challenge...
Have a POD no earlier than 1985, where Russia doesn't leave the Soviet Union, and have the Soviet Union exist somewhat until 2005. The minumum it can control is Central Asia and Russia.
Bonus if you can have it last to today, and you get a brownie if it exists as a whole until today.