Before it was called Russia the nation was called Kievan Rus’—as if Kiev and Russia were combined to make one word.

The historical roots of Russia lie in a medieval state known as Kievan Rus’, a powerful federation of East Slavic tribes centered in Kyiv, the capital of modern-day Ukraine. Established in the 9th century, Kievan Rus’—often referred to as Russia’s “first name”—was the cultural, political, and religious foundation for both Russia and Ukraine, creating a shared heritage that underscores the deep connection between their peoples.

The Birth of Kievan Rus’ (Russia) in Kyiv

Kievan Rus’ emerged in the late 9th century, uniting various East Slavic tribes under a centralized authority. The Primary Chronicle, a key historical text compiled by the monk Nestor in the early 12th century, recounts that in 862, the Slavic tribes, weary of internal conflicts, invited the Varangian (Viking) prince Rurik to rule over them.

Rurik established his base in Novgorod, a city in modern-day Russia, laying the groundwork for a unified state.

The pivotal moment came in 882 when Rurik’s successor, Oleg of Novgorod, captured Kyiv, a thriving trade hub on the Dnipro River in what is now Ukraine. Oleg united Novgorod and Kyiv under his rule, declaring Kyiv “the mother of Rus’ cities.” This event marked the formal establishment of Kievan Rus’, a state that would become the cultural and political ancestor of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. At the time, the people of Kievan Rus’ were simply known as the Rus’, a single East Slavic population with a shared language, culture, and identity.

A Unified Cultural and Religious Identity

Kievan Rus’ was a melting pot of Slavic, Scandinavian, and Byzantine influences, forging a shared heritage that would endure for centuries. In 988, Prince Volodymyr the Great (Vladimir I) of Kyiv adopted Byzantine Christianity as the state religion, a decision that profoundly shaped the identity of the Rus’ people. Following his baptism in Chersonesus (modern-day Crimea), Volodymyr ordered the mass baptism of Kyiv’s inhabitants in the Dnipro River, marking the Christianization of Kievan Rus’. This event introduced the Eastern Orthodox faith, which remains a central element of both Russian and Ukrainian culture today.

The adoption of Christianity brought Byzantine art, architecture, and literacy to the region. Under Yaroslav the Wise (r. 1019–1054), Kyiv became a cultural and diplomatic center, with landmarks like the Saint Sophia Cathedral symbolizing the state’s golden age. The Rus’ Justice, an early legal code, further unified the people under a shared system of laws.

The Legacy of Kievan Rus’ and the Path to Russia

Kievan Rus’ began to decline in the 12th century due to internal divisions and external pressures, culminating in the Mongol invasion of 1237–1240. As Kyiv’s power waned, the political center shifted northeast to cities like Vladimir and later Moscow, which would eventually become the heart of the Russian state. Moscow’s rulers, beginning with the Grand Duchy of Moscow in the 14th century, positioned themselves as the heirs of Kievan Rus’, adopting its religious traditions, legal frameworks, and historical narratives to legitimize their authority.

While Russia evolved from the northeastern principalities of Kievan Rus’, the lands around Kyiv became the cradle of Ukrainian culture and identity. Over time, distinct Russian and Ukrainian identities emerged, influenced by different historical experiences, such as Ukraine’s time under Polish-Lithuanian rule and Russia’s development under Mongol and later Tsarist rule. Yet the shared origins in Kievan Rus’ highlight the deep historical connection between the two peoples, who trace their roots to the same East Slavic foundation.

A Shared Heritage in Modern Context

The legacy of Kievan Rus’ remains a point of both unity and contention between Russia and Ukraine today. Some, including Russian leaders like Vladimir Putin, emphasize the shared history to argue that Russians and Ukrainians are fundamentally one people, pointing to their common origins in Kievan Rus’. In a 2021 essay, Putin wrote that Russians and Ukrainians share a “historical and spiritual space,” rooted in their shared past. However, Ukrainians often assert their distinct identity, viewing Kievan Rus’ as the foundation of Ukrainian statehood and emphasizing their unique cultural and linguistic development over the centuries.

Despite these modern differences, the history of Kievan Rus’ demonstrates that Russia and Ukraine share a common origin. The state that began in Kyiv under the name Kievan Rus’ was the “first Russia,” a shared birthplace that gave rise to the cultural and religious traditions that both nations hold dear. While political borders and national identities have diverged, the legacy of Kievan Rus’ remains a testament to the deep historical bonds between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples.