I mean how the USSR inherited the imperialist practices of exploiting and oppressing the provinces to strengthen the centre.

Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Belarus. All suffered greatly so the Rus could have power.

Its the same story as in the USA. Native Americans and imported slaves suffered so the elite can make their money.

As with many things, its a mixed bag. Socialism was certainly better for many than the feudalism, but to say it was a free society is a stretch.

Stalinism was a real thing. Its what you get from centralization of power in the political upper class. Same effect as under Mao.

Its not those people that brought about that system, its that system that brings about those people. The same thing happens in capitalism, where capital concentrates power and appoints their puppets in government.

Anything that concentrates power is a problem and ends up with things like the Ukrainian genocide and Gaza.

First 3 on the left and all the things on the right are correct, because the USSR as not communist, but Stalinist.