in addition to mineral deposits they also have natural gas and historically a good amount of people in the developed cities well trained in math, programming, and technical sciences.
They could have been an economic powerhouse in 21st century if they weren’t beholden to Putin and oligarchy.
I mean people don’t seriously acknowledge it but good on Sesame Street for semi real sticky representing a homeless bum on a kids show. Also Bert and Earnie, but most people give them credit for that one these days…