Kievan Rus' was a medieval state that existed from the late 9th to the mid-13th century in Eastern Europe. It was centered around the city of Kyiv, which is now the capital of Ukraine. The state was formed by a group of Viking traders and warriors known as the Varangians, who united various Slavic tribes. Kievan Rus' played a crucial role in the cultural and political development of the region, influencing the future nations of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The society of Kievan Rus' was marked by trade, agriculture, and the spread of Christianity. In 988, Prince Vladimir the Great adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which helped to unify the people