It's more accurate to say Russia's history as a distinct entity goes back around 850 years. Before that, it was part of Kyivan Rus', and the term "Ruthenian" pr

It's more accurate to say Russia's history as a distinct entity goes back around 850 years. Before that, it was part of Kyivan Rus', and the term "Ruthenian" primarily referred to the people and territory of modern-day Ukraine. Moscow Rus' was initially a peripheral, tribal offshoot of the larger Kyivan polity.