sweetbacker

There were far fewer cars because everyone was poorer, but not a novelty. In the 80ies an average salary was 200 roubles/month, a good one 300/month; a Lada depending on model cost ~8,000 roubles. So in relative purchasing power, the cheapest car (ZAZ, Fiat 600 clone) might have been roughly $50,000 for today's America family, a Lada $100,000, a Volga (the most expensive car for mere mortal to buy), $200,000. About as many people who could buy a $100,000 car today would have been able to buy a car in USSR. (Far fewer leasing or fractional payment options, though)

They would be next were they not members of EU and NATO. But as it stands now, no, no more likely than Russia invading Finland.

Russia will certainly try to flame the same nationalism, but contrary to Ukrainian efforts, it has had very little traction. Firstly, the ethnic Russians have no concrete economical reason to side with Russia -- whereas Ukraine was a corrupt craphole 3-4x poorer than Russia and joining RF would have ostensibly brought immediate economic benefits, then life in Baltics is obviously better, even in the poorest regions. Secondly, the Baltic countries have their own moderate/leftish political parties which offer a more sensible approaches to advance the local Russians' interest than Putin.

Yanukovich was, as far as the most of the world's opinion, democratically elected in 2010. To my understanding, the next presidential elections would be held next year. I can understand his policy decisions as of late might have been unpopular -- but why the protests, and unwavering demands of his immediate resignation, rather than going with the democratic process and voting in a new guy/girl? It doesn't seem terribly democratic, more like "democracy, but only as long as the right (wing) guys win" sort of thing. Why all this if you could have a new president and new course this/next year anyhow?