system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is Russia divided into several Oblasts, Krai, and Republics instead of just states or provinces, and what is the difference between a Krai and Oblast?
gpt
It's just the Russian equivalent of a State or Providence. They can be used interchangeably. 

Many people do that realize this but many American states are legally called commonwealths. A commonwealth is no different than a state but the name was chosen to be used in place of state. For example Massachusetts is a Commonwealth, New York is a State, both are considered defined legal areas for local jurisdiction.