Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Russian Federation is one sovereign country, not a union of countries. It is a federation composed of 89 federal subjects (as of 2024, including 4 partially occupied Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia).
| Type | Count | Examples | Autonomy Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republics | 22 | Tatarstan, Chechnya, Bashkortostan, Sakha (Yakutia) | Highest: own constitution, language, legislature |
| Oblasts | 46 | Moscow Oblast, Sverdlovsk, Novosibirsk | Standard: governor + legislature, no constitution |
| Krais | 9 | Krasnodar, Primorsky, Khabarovsk | Similar to oblasts; historic "frontier" designation |
| Autonomous Okrugs | 4 | Khanty-Mansi, Yamalo-Nenets, Chukotka, Nenets | Ethnic autonomy; often subordinated to an oblast |
| Autonomous Oblast | 1 | Jewish Autonomous Oblast | Unique; Jewish cultural autonomy |
| Federal Cities | 3 | Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sevastopol* | City = region; direct federal control |
*Sevastopol claimed by Russia since 2014; internationally recognized as Ukraine.
"Federation" + "Republics" (which have "president" and "constitution") + Soviet legacy (USSR = union of republics). But Russia ≠ USSR. Republics cannot secede (Constitution Art. 4, 2020 amendments).