What needed the spending? Nothing but the delusions of Russian ruling elites. Modern Russia in not much different from the USSR, even in ideology. At least they stopped pretending to be communists.
But I am not here to teach history to a wall. This thread is overdue for an end, just as my waking day is overdue for a good night of sleep. If you are serious about decolonisation and anti imperialism you should learn about the struggles of all the people instead of choosing which global hegemony to bend your knee to. That's my message.
I will not reply to further comments.
Never stop learning.
That's what I had in mind