How to determine subject usage for Russia, Soviet Union, Former Soviet republics

1. Look at the publication date:
   pre-1917 -- subject is Russia
   pre-1992 -- subject is Russia and/or Soviet Union (see 2)
   1992 and after -- Russia, Soviet Union and/or Former Soviet republics (continue with 2>
2. If the book is published after 1917, use the publication date and subject.
   If the subject is historical and deals explicitly with the pre-1917 Russian Empire, e.g. the history of Russia during Peter the Great, always use Russia.

   Russia--History--Peter I, 1689-1725; Soviet Union--History--1939-1945
   not
   Soviet Union--History--Peter I, 1689-1725; Russia--History--1939-1945
   also not
   Philosophy, Medieval--Soviet Union
   Holy Roman Empire--Foreign relations--Soviet Union.

   If the book deals with a non-historical subject, use the date of publication to determine the geographical subdivision; e.g. a book about birds of the former Soviet republics:

   published pre-1917:	Birds--Russia
   published 1917-1991:	Birds--Soviet Union
   published 1992 and after:	Birds--Former Soviet republics

   Many times, subjects must be doubled or tripled: e.g. a general history of agriculture in the Former Soviet republics published in 1992:
   Agriculture--Russia--History.
   Agriculture--Soviet Union--History.
   Agriculture--Former Soviet republics--History.

3. If the subject deals with a local place, Russia, Soviet Union and Former Soviet republics are never used because of the latest name provision. All local subdivision practice goes through the country.
   See: Headings for the Republics of the Former Soviet Union

   The following heading is valid:
   Birds--Russia (Federation)--Moscow
   not
   Birds--Russia--Moscow
   Birds--Soviet Union--Moscow
   Birds--Russian S.F.S.R.--Moscow
   Birds--Former Soviet republics--Moscow

4. Commonwealth of Independent States is a corporate body and is never used as a geographic subdivision.