How many Soviet republics were there?

In Europe, the population is also declining; this is not a genocide, but a degradation of the brain and public consciousness. Regarding the topic: the Soviet Union had its own advantages and disadvantages. Unconditional advantages: grandeur, strength, independence on the political arena, a unifying idea for people (even if it was fantastic, it still existed), a high level of science and production. Disadvantages: the state originated through a revolution, totalitarianism existed for many years of the country's life, persecution of intellectuals, persecution of religion, strict censorship in the press, and an iron curtain. P.S. The title of the topic is somewhat strange.