What led to many of the struggles in Russia during the 1990's after the fall of the USSR?

The transition from a socialist command economy to a free market capitalist economy was indeed a significant factor that contributed to the struggles experienced in Russia during the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This pivotal shift aimed to transform the economy from one that was heavily controlled by the state to a system where market forces could determine production, investment, and pricing.

The process was chaotic and hastily implemented. Many state-owned enterprises were privatized, often resulting in the emergence of oligarchs who quickly amassed wealth while the general populace faced unemployment and economic uncertainty. The abruptness of these reforms led to hyperinflation, plummeting living standards, and widespread poverty. The lack of established institutions to support the new capitalist structure, combined with insufficient regulatory frameworks, meant that the transition did not produce the intended economic prosperity.

This situation was compounded by other challenges such as social unrest and political instability, as the population struggled to adapt to new economic realities. The move to capitalism created significant disparities in wealth and access to resources, contributing further to the struggles faced by ordinary citizens during this tumultuous period.