Currently, Russian regions are developing under challenging conditions shaped by new internal and external factors. In this regard, in order to understand the logic of development, it is important to identify groups of regions that are similar or different in a number of key indicators. Such indicators are highlighted in the study from the perspective of system economic theory and an endogenous approach to economic development. The identification of groups of regions in the study was carried out using cluster analysis performed by affinity propogation method. This, in turn, allowed searching for factors of regional transformations that are adequate to the new realities. The behavioral patterns of Russian regions were identified and analyzed. The analysis of industry specialization and non-economic factors of regional development was carried out on the basis of official statistics and mass media data. As a result of the study, six clusters were identified, and their characteristics are given. The analysis of the dynamics of regional transitions between clusters made it possible to determine the appropriate behaviors. For each region, the number of its transitions from one cluster to another was calculated. The analysis of industry specialization for regions with different models showed the indirect influence of specialization on the stability of the behavior of the subject of Russia. Based on the analysis of non-economic activities, it is concluded that it is important to utilize the potential of regional value chains for the technological and social development of regional economies. Based on the studying news reports, economic, political, scientific, and technical events that can affect the development of regions have been discovered.