- The early history of Russia, like those of many countries, is one of migrating peoples and ancient kingdoms. Early in Russia was not exactly Russia, but a collection of cities that gradually coalesced into an empire.
- By 989 Oleg's great-grandson Vladimir I was ruler of a kingdom that extended to as far south as the Black Sea, The Caucasus Mountains, and the lower reaches of the Volga River.
- Kievan Rus' struggled on into the 13th century, but was decisively destroyed by the arrival of a new invader the Mongols. In 1237 Batu Khan, a grandson of Jenghiz Khan launched an invasion into Kievan Rus from his capital on the lower Volga.
- The Russian Federation is the largest of the 21 republics that make up the Commonwealth of Independent States.
- World War I demonstrated czarist corruption and inefficiency, and only patriotism held the poorly equipped army together for a time.