Soviet Union to Russia?

Question

When and why did the Soviet Union change it's name to Russia?

Answer 1

august of 1991

The Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991 when Boris Yeltsin seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup that had attempted to topple reform-minded Gorbechev.

Answer 2

Russia was an independent country before the Soviet Union existed.

The czar of Russia was deposed in 1917 and the communists took control of the country later that year.  In 1922, other countries were added to create the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Russia was one of the countries that made up the USSR.

When the communist government dissolved in December, 1991, the various former countries that made up the USSR became independent once again and resumed using their historic names.