Ruslar

Ruslar is the Turkish term for Russians, referring to people connected with Russia who may be ethnically Russian, citizens of the Russian Federation, or Russian-speaking communities. In Turkish usage, Ruslar denotes both nationality and ethnicity and is commonly used in reference to the people and culture of Russia.

Etymology and origins: The label derives from Rus’, the medieval East Slavic polity that contributed to the formation of later Russian statehood. The modern name Russia (Rossiya in Russian) reflects this lineage, and Ruslar is the Turkish analogue used for the people associated with that heritage. The ethnogenesis of Russians emerged from a blend of East Slavic groups, Norse influence, and medieval political formations, with successive states such as Kievan Rus’ and the Grand Duchy of Moscow shaping the identity.

Demographics and distribution: The largest concentration of Ruslar is in the Russian Federation. There are also substantial Russian-speaking communities in neighboring countries and in the Russian diaspora across Europe, North America, and other regions, stemming from historical migrations, labor mobility, and education.

Language and culture: The Russian language, a Slavic language written in the Cyrillic script, is the predominant language of the Ruslar in Russia and widely used in media, education, and government. Culturally, Ruslar have contributed extensively to literature, science, music, cinema, and art. While Orthodox Christianity has been influential in many communities, religion and secularism coexist, and regional diversity within Russia produces a wide range of cultural expressions.

See also: Russians, Russia, Russian language, Soviet Union.