[quote=@Inkwell]
However they are so far west that this would be a challenge for them if they come from inland.

[/quote]

It wouldn't be that difficult. Literally two major Cossack Hosts would be your neighbor.

[img]http://russiasperiphery.blogs.wm.edu/files/2012/01/Cossack-Populations-300x217.gif[/img]

The Kuban in the north and Terek in the east. Both over lap and envelop the area around you centered on the rivers they derive their names from. And without Soviet-styled forced deportation or elimination of them as a group, they are considerable adversaries. The whole of Kuban Oblast would more than likely be a Russo-Ukrainian Hetmanate due in part to the Kuban's long history of Imperial patronage.