Russians experienced a dramatic change in status as a result of the Soviet Union's demise. Once the majority nationality of a vast federation, in 1991 they were suddenly transformed into minority nationalities of small, newly independent states. The following quotation alludes to the plight of Russians who reside outside the Russian Federation, but within the former Soviet Union: The most obvious macrooutcome of the collapse of the Soviet Union is the end of the ‘Soviet Man.’… Everywhere, nationalism and nationalist conflicts have grown more intense, as Abkhazis, Chechens, Tatars, and other minorities within newly independent states struggle for their own independence. The Russians living outside the territory of the Russian Republic are