How many Soviet republics were there?

The USSR was the greatest country that ever existed. I have always been proud that I lived in it (even if not for long). Back then, we were only considered alongside America. And now, even Latvia and Estonia are trying to give us instructions. And what about sports? And ballet? And space exploration? Education was the best in the world. Culture. Intellectuals (two "l"s or one?). They destroyed such a country. It's just that these three (everyone knows them) really wanted power!!! I would kill them.

Yes, it was a very powerful country, but its power was more focused on appearances. I think so because the development of territories was uneven, and there was also an extensive policy (perhaps I'm wrong in the spelling). If the USSR had been developed in all respects, after its collapse (which, by the way, its constituent countries probably wouldn't have wanted), the constituent countries wouldn't be struggling so much. And about sports and ballet, I want to say this. There is a huge population, so there is a greater chance that there will be strong athletes/dancers.