Changes

==History==

==History==

Although human experience on the territory of present-day Russia dates back to [[Paleolithic]] times, the first lineal predecessor of the modern Russian state was founded in 862. The political entity known as Kievan Rus was established in [[Kiev]] in 962 and lasted until the 12th century. In the 10th century, [[Christianity]] became the state religion under [[Vladimir]], who adopted [[Greek Orthodox]] rites. Consequently, [[Byzantine]] culture predominated, as is evident in much of Russia's architectural, musical, and artistic heritage. Over the next centuries, various invaders assaulted the Kievan state and, finally, [[Mongols]] under [[Batu Khan]] destroyed the main population centers except for [[Novgorod]] and Pskov in the 13th century and prevailed over the region until 1480. Some historians believe that the Mongol period had a lasting impact on Russian political culture.  

Although human experience on the territory of present-day Russia dates back to [[Paleolithic]] times, the first lineal predecessor of the modern Russian state was founded in 862. The political entity known as Kievan Rus was established in [[Kiev]] in 962 and lasted until the 12th century. In the 10th century, [[Christianity]] became the state religion under [[Vladimir]], who adopted [[Greek Orthodox]] rites. Consequently, [[Byzantine]] culture predominated, as is evident in much of Russia's architectural, musical, and artistic heritage. Over the next centuries, various invaders assaulted the Kievan state and, finally, [[Mongols]] under [[Batu Khan]] destroyed the main population centers except for [[Novgorod]] and Pskov in the 13th century and prevailed over the region until 1480. Some historians believe that the Mongol period had a lasting impact on Russian political culture.