Russia (M2TW Faction)
From TWC Wiki
Russia is one of the more difficult factions to play as in the game. As Russia you start out with one province, Novgorod. As the Russians your campaign goals are to hold 45 regions, and to capture Constantinople and Jerusalem.
Russian Religeon
The Russians are one of the few Orthodox Christian factions in the game. To the south of you is the other Orthodox Byzantine Empire, to the south east, there are the Catholic Polish and the Hungariansand to the south, over the Black sea, or over the Caucasus Mountains are the Islamic Turks. Because of the fact you are Catholic, you have no direct relation to the pope, and thus don't participate in the Crusades, and are under no pressure form the Papal Staes. And vice-versa you are under no pressure from the Islamic factions to participate in Jihads.