text: Fair enough, my reading (and my ex, a proud Ukrainian) both said it was dropped once the USSR dissolved.  I studied some Russian history back in my university days but certainly don't claim to be an authority.
  
  It is curious, though, how some countries/regions get/got an article, and others don't.  The Netherlands, but not The Holland. The Belgian Congo, but Dutch Guiana.  Another of the wonderful inconsistencies of language (with English perhaps one of the worst offenders).