@europesays

(2/n)

...the country has been part of #European history.

The #Kiewan "#Rus' provided the earliest members of the #VarangianGuard. They were in the] Byzantine [Emperor's] service from as early as 874...until at least mid-14th century.**

After growing in influence and affluence as the #GoldenHorde's tax collectors, the #Muscovites became part of European history, too, after #DmitryDonskoy's first victory against them...

*
https://archive.org/details/sviatoslavthebraveconquerorofkhazaria

**
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varangian_Guard