Having just done a little research, I see Dagestan is high majority Muslim too, I can see that also adding some stress between them and the Orthodoxy common in the rest of Russia/it's government. And give separatists a lever to push on.
Yes, the Soviet union collapsed under a lot of internal pressure and strive. And when the Soviet army was overextended and the government could no longer control their Empire. Losing in Afghanistan showed internal forces that the bear was not unbeatable.
I think it is safe to say that the Russian empire is getting more than a bloody nose in Ukraine.
So in this case there will be plenty of parties that have a bone to pick with the Russian empire and see the Russian army is ... well ... Busy.
Yes, the Soviet union collapsed under a lot of internal pressure and strive. And when the Soviet army was overextended and the government could no longer control their Empire. Losing in Afghanistan showed internal forces that the bear was not unbeatable.
I think it is safe to say that the Russian empire is getting more than a bloody nose in Ukraine.
So in this case there will be plenty of parties that have a bone to pick with the Russian empire and see the Russian army is ... well ... Busy.