History of Russia in 5 Minutes - Animation

The story begins with the East Slavs, who laid the groundwork for Russian history. Specifically, in 862, the Rus’ state was established in the northern regions, ruled by Varangians.
Prince Oleg of Novgorod seized Kiev in 882, uniting the northern and southern lands of the Eastern Slavs under one authority. This move shifted the governance center to Kiev by the end of the 10th century.
The adoption of Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in 988 marked a significant turning point. It initiated the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures, which would define Russian culture for the next millennium.