>>7640091Russia has had a long history of semi independent provinces. It's currently home to the largest amount of unrecognized republics (understand a strip of snowy land where Moscow is not recognized as the seat of power and russian laws aren't enforced). Putin is a strong leader and a quasi dictator but that doesn't mean he needs to hold every square feet of land in that huge ass ice skating rink.
>Long story short : Better be 4000km from the capital in a country that doesn't care about you, than to be 200km and represent half a country that needs every penny.