WI: Russian ASSRs gain independence

Your challenge is to have an autonomous republic of the RSFSR successfully gain independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Ideally the POD wouldn't be too early.
 
Mass death.

They're too weak to defend themselves, but too big and numerous to allow Russia to function. It'd all be one big Chechnya, worse in most places.
 
Chechnya, Dagestan and Tuva might have realistic possibilities gain independence but I don't think that more indepent former ASSRs are possible. Many ASSRs locate inside of Russia and some are strongly russificated. And many not be viable as indepent countries.
 
Just to grant a visual presentation if this were the case, Russia proves to be ugly as hell.

KHhPVl.png

 
I really want to respond ASSB:p, but its surely actually possible, even if pretty low probability.

Chechnya, as others have pointed out is surely the most likely one. Although i could imagine North and South Ossetia uniting in nominal independence, as a face saving measure for Georgia. And/or the US or NATO if the were backing Georgia more strongly.
 
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