Russians

Map of the Russian Diaspora in the World

East Slavic tribes peoples 8th 9th century

Lebedev baptism

Максимов Бабушкины сказки 1867

Percentage of Russians by region

Russians ethnic 94

Russians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, who speak the Russian language and primarily live in the country of Russia. They are the most numerous ethnic group in Russia, constituting more than 80% of the country's population according to the most recent census. Russians have a long history that includes the establishment of the medieval state of Kievan Rus', the rise of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and the formation of the Russian Empire, which expanded to become one of the largest empires in history by the early 18th century.

History

The history of the Russians begins with the Slavic migrations into the region of Eastern Europe, between the 3rd and 8th centuries AD. The East Slavs gradually settled Western Russia in two waves: one moving from Kiev towards present-day Suzdal and Moscow and another from Polotsk towards Novgorod and Rostov. This led to the establishment of Kievan Rus', a federation of Slavic tribes under the Varangians by the late 9th century, which laid the foundation for the Russian nationality and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Following the Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus' in the 13th century, the Grand Duchy of Moscow emerged as a leading Russian state. It succeeded in throwing off the Mongol yoke and centralized power, leading to the Tsardom of Russia. The Romanov Dynasty ascended to the throne in 1613, marking the beginning of a new era that saw the expansion of Russia into Siberia, the Caucasus, and parts of Eastern Europe.

The 20th century was marked by significant events, including the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the fall of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union. The Soviet era saw significant political, economic, and social changes, impacting Russians both within and outside the USSR's borders. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia emerged as a federal semi-presidential republic.

Culture

Russian culture has a rich history, strong traditions, and influential arts, especially in literature, music, painting, and ballet. The country has a centuries-old tradition of literature, with figures such as Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, and Fyodor Dostoevsky making significant contributions to world literature. Russian classical music and ballet have also received worldwide acclaim, with composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff, and ballet dancers such as Anna Pavlova and Rudolf Nureyev.

Language

The Russian language is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages, and the largest native language in Europe. It belongs to the family of Indo-European languages and is one of the four living members of the East Slavic languages. Russian is the official language of Russia and is also used as a second language in many of the former Soviet states.

Religion

The predominant religion among Russians is Russian Orthodoxy, which has played a pivotal role in shaping Russian identity, culture, and national narrative. The Russian Orthodox Church, with its traditions and rituals, has been a central element of Russian life for centuries.

Demographics

Russians are the largest Slavic and European nation; they speak Russian, which is the most widely spoken Slavic language. The majority of Russians reside within the Russian Federation, but significant minorities exist in other former Soviet states such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, as well as in communities around the world.

See also

• History of Russia
• Culture of Russia
• Russian diaspora