Ukrainians
Ukrainians, or the Ukrainian people, are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine. They are the seventh-largest nation in Europe and the second-largest among the East Slavs after the Russians. The term 'Ukrainians', according to the Constitution of Ukraine applies to all its citizens. The majority of Ukrainians are Eastern Orthodox Christians. Ethnic Ukrainians were historically known as Ruthenians until the early 20th century, referring to the medieval land of Ruthenia, which was the Latin term for what is now known as Kievan Rus, a medieval East Slavic state with the capital in Kyiv. After its collapse, the Kingdom of Ruthenia emerged, but was soon dismantled by its neighbours. Starting from the 15th century, the people of Ukraine were also known as Cossacks and formed the state Zaporizhian Host. The connection with the Zaporozhian Cossacks especially, is emphasized in the Ukrainian national anthem, "We are, brothers, of Cossack kin".
