- Dec 29, 2008
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What Could Happen If The Russian Federation Broke Up? - According to some experts, the breakup of the Russian Federation is a very real possibility thanks to the pressures brought on by the Ukraine war.
The state is currently made up of 21 independent republics, 22 if you include Crimea, but only ten other UN members outside Russia currently do.
Each republic has its own constitution, national anthem, and opinion on the Russian Federation.
Autonomy was granted following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, although these powers have been largely taken away since Vladimir Putin took control in 2000.
Nevertheless, greater autonomy – and perhaps even independence – remains on the lips of Russia’s ethnic minorities.
President Putin’s mobilizations for the invasion of Ukraine, unpopular among ethnic Russians themselves, have been particularly controversial in republics that fought Russian forces less than 30 years ago.
Bar a few modest gains by Russia in Bakhmut and Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia; the front line has remained relatively stable since the liberation of Kherson in November 2022.
However, the conflict is far from predictable – as proved by the Wagner rebellion earlier this year – and a breakthrough could weaken Russian forces, shatter morale and lead to an eventual liberation of annexed areas, subsequently calling the unity of the Federation into question.
Will the Russian Federation collapse just as the USSR did?
The state is currently made up of 21 independent republics, 22 if you include Crimea, but only ten other UN members outside Russia currently do.
Each republic has its own constitution, national anthem, and opinion on the Russian Federation.
Autonomy was granted following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, although these powers have been largely taken away since Vladimir Putin took control in 2000.
Nevertheless, greater autonomy – and perhaps even independence – remains on the lips of Russia’s ethnic minorities.
President Putin’s mobilizations for the invasion of Ukraine, unpopular among ethnic Russians themselves, have been particularly controversial in republics that fought Russian forces less than 30 years ago.
Bar a few modest gains by Russia in Bakhmut and Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia; the front line has remained relatively stable since the liberation of Kherson in November 2022.
However, the conflict is far from predictable – as proved by the Wagner rebellion earlier this year – and a breakthrough could weaken Russian forces, shatter morale and lead to an eventual liberation of annexed areas, subsequently calling the unity of the Federation into question.
Will the Russian Federation collapse just as the USSR did?