Rus' people

The Rus' people were early East European traders, warriors, and settlers from Scandinavia and surrounding regions, who established the foundations of what would become Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In the 9th and 10th centuries, they formed influential states like Kievan Rus', which was a powerful and culturally rich federation. The Rus' played a key role in shaping Eastern European history, adopting Christianity, developing trade routes, and creating early political systems. Their legacy influences the modern identities and nations of the region today.