The mongol never properly settled in Central Russia, where such cities as Moscow, Kiev and Vladmir are, their occupation was more concrete in southern Russia and the Volga, the former was controlled by the Golden Horde until the 16th century and the latter was where they built their capital city of Sarai in the 1240's, just after the invasion of Rus.
The mongol invasion raided many cities and seriously impoverished the historical populational centers of Kiev and Vladmir, allowing newer cities such as Moscow and Tver to gain influence. Mongol rule over the russians was in the form of a fixed tribute wich allowed for autonomy of the russian states, in religious matters as well, as mongol rulers, even when they converted to Islam, were very tolerant of religious diversity, another characteristic pattern of mongol rule over russia were the periodical raids on russian cities, much more frequent in the 13th century.
