How to better divide Russia into Several Independent States

In my previous article about Veishnoria I covered this idea partially. However, in a broader sense Russia is a huge amalgamation of various territories that have little in common with each other. Even areas that are ethnically Russian have little in common with each other: autocratic Muscovy, that was a tributary of Mongol Golden Horde, have nothing in common with Novgorodian Republic, that was member of the German Hanseatic League and was part of the German system. A map from that era clearly shows that:

Thus, in order to fix Russia we need to separate a former territory of the Novgorodian Republic into an independent nation.

Historical Principalities

Novgorod Republic is of course the first and most important candidate for independence. Back in the days they used to control all the areas in the north as well. West of Uran Mountains that is. Pskov Republic was independent of them, but I think in modern times they will do well as one north Russian Nation. Their capital can be in either Novgorod itself or in Sankt Peterburg as it is the biggest city in this area.

Tver, Ryazan and Smolensk principalities deserve independence as well. Though Muscovy should keep Nizhniy-Novgorod as it was founded by them after all.

Tver and Smolensk should probably stay small roughly 1-2 oblast nations. They were prevented from expanding further east by Muscovy who controlled Vladimir, Suzdal and areas further north-east inland all the way to Perm. Coastal areas were controlled by Novgorod instead.

Alternatively, Tver can unite with Novgorod Republic and Smolensk with new states, carved out of Belarus.

Belarussian Polatsk, Vitebsk and Mohylov will make a good joint nation together with Smolensk.

Ryazan however should have a dominion over several oblasts south of Moscow. However, these areas should exclude anything in Don River area or in Volga area south of Kazan. 

This area is closest to Ukraine and some land redistribution across the current Russia-Ukraine border would be desirable to achieve optimal outcomes. I think southern oblast, including Voronezh and Kursk should unite with Sloboda Ukraine into one 'border' Sloboda Ukraine Republic.

North of that but south of Moscow oblast should become a Ryazan State/Republic. Muscovy should keep Kaluga and Bryansk, but Ryazan should get Tula and Oryol.

Yaroslavl, Kostroma and Vologda can have a joint state together. It can control all of European Russia hinterland all the way and including Archangelsk. Ivanovo however should stay with Muscovy.

Murmansk and Karelia should stay part of Novgorod Republic, however. There are not that many Karelians left to warrant its own state for just them.

Other Areas of European Russia

Greater Tatarstan centered in Kazan should also become independent. Muscovy fought a lot of wars against them, until they finally conquered them. I think they can have a joint nation together with Bashkortostan and Chuvashia if there is no animosity between Tatars, Bashkirs and Chuvash. 

Areas south of Kazan and Tatars should become its own nation, centered in Volgograd and should also include Samara, Astrachan and even Ufa. Astrachan used to be its own khanate back in the days, but nowadays there are not many Tatars left in the area to warrant a separate state for them.

Similarly, areas around Don River should be its own nation, it can be called Kuban and should also include all of Russian Black Sea coast as well as Krasnodar Krai. This state should also unite with Donbas from Ukraine into one state or have a redistribution between Donbas and Kuban States as I mentioned in a separate article on Ukraine.

North Caucasus too was separate from. However, Russia leaving that area might destabilize it. However perhaps UN troops can keep peace there. Nowadays this area has lots of republics with dashed names. Back in the days this area used to be divided differently from how it is now, but I am not an expert on Caucasus to propose meaningful borders there. Perhaps Turkey can help draw borders and keep peace there.

Finally Great Perm in the North-East corner deserve a comeback as well. Udmurtia, Kirov and Komi Republic can also be part of this state.

Siberia

However, the most important issue here is that current Russian state and its elites live off oil and gas exports. These resources are located in Siberia. Because of that they neglect the rest of the country. Sometimes this country tries to start an insurgency and replace them by force with someone who will do something for them.

Because of that current Russian state should move its capital to Siberia and continue to govern Eastern Russia just as they do nowadays.

Yekaterinburg will make for a nice capital for this new Russia.

The rest of Siberian Russia, east of Ural Mountains should stay with this state. Sure, there are some ethnic republics in Siberia as well, but many are not heavily populated, despite having vast territories.

This state should be a legal successor of the current Russia.

In addition to that they should get area around Orenburg. Some border readjustment with Tatarstan will be needed to make borders viable. Alternatively, Orenburg can become its own nation.