Prince Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav the Wise converted his subjects into the Orthodox Christian faith in 988.

The contemporary nations of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus perceive Kievan Rus as their cultural forerunner.

This powerful East Slavic state thrived under the reign of the Ruriks from the 9th to the 13th century.

The Mongol invasion in the first half of the 13th century devastated Kiev.

The Kievan principality declined due to succession disputes and conflicts between regional princes  along with the collapse of commercial ties between Byzantium and Europe.