Historical Geography #5
Rapid eclipse of Kiev after death of VladimirÕs successor - Yaroslavl in 1054
Partition of Kiev among YaroslavÕs sons
Family feud led to independent political units - Vladimir, Suzdal, Tver (Kalinin), and Moskovy (Moscow) of upper Volga principality of Vladimir-Suzdal.

Novgorod obtained self-government from Kievan Russia in 997,  complete independence in 1136.

Kiev - in 1169 raiding party from Suzdal sacked Kiev.
Problems for Kiev- Volga Bulgars to the east, marauding Polovtsi to the south, Khazars and Pechenegs to the southeast become increasingly troublesome