Kremlin will speed up assimilating non-Russian Tatars

Significance

Tatarstan, a leading proponent of autonomy, is being targeted in a drive for centralisation and cultural/linguistic homogenisation aimed at consolidating a Russian-speaking state. In this, different ethnic groups either disappear or at least lose any trace of their ethnic or linguistic identity. The objective is to make people in the regions Russian by citizenship, culture and language.

Impacts

• The intensity and duration of the conflict in Ukraine and its final outcome will affect how the Russian state evolves.
• Chechnya’s Ramzan Kadyrov enjoys considerable autonomy but has never challenged the dominance of Russian language and culture.
• Tatarstan’s oil wealth makes it a particular target for centralisation.