So I've tried and retried Russia multiple times now. After scouring this board I found a unique strategy with them and one that can give you several options even on replays.
I can't remember the topic I found here but I saw someone mention taking Russia over to Scotland and essentially relocating entirely. After multiple playthroughs, and the one I'm currently doing, I found a setup I really enjoy.
1) Turn 1 build a port in Novograd. Move all army units to the port and build a ship. You'll be taking Stockholm, Arhus, Hamburg, and then Oslo. Hamburg will be your central front's defense. Take it even if HRE grabbed it.
2) Depending on how many people you have left, either sail straight to Edinburgh (if you think you can take it), Inverness for a safer option, or Nottingham. Start taking over England and Ireland.
3) While you're fighting in England, build some militia units in Novograd (no rush here, just whenever you have the cash) and grab Riga. Make it a castle, the go take Helsinki. Riga is your eastern front's defense. Helsinki converts to a city.
4) Once you've wrapped up the English isles, take Caen. Keep Caen a castle as this is now your western front's defense.
5) Slowly convert (keep an eye on happiness levels) everything except Caen, Hamburg, and Riga to a city. Anything smaller than a large town convert to a castle (level 3) then convert that castle to a large town (regardless of population this works).
6) Then just decide if you want to invade France, HRE, or Poland. Whatever you choose just be sure to beef up your other two fronts (being Hamburg, Caen, or Riga).
Pretty simple to hold any of those 3 castles, and the AI never seems to try and flank around these regions either.
Not sure if this is common knowledge as I'm new to the board but I figured I'd throw this out there.