The Rus' are a group of Varangians, diverse groups of Norsemen.

According to the Primary Chronicle of Rus', compiled in about 1113, the Rus' had relocated from the Baltic region ("from over the sea"), first to northeastern Europe, creating an early polity which finally came under the leadership of Rurik.

Later, Rurik's relative Oleg captured Kiev, founding Kievan Rus'.

The descendants of Rurik are the ruling dynasty of Rus' (after 862), and of principalities created in the area formerly occupied by Kievan Rus, Galicia-Volhynia (after 1199), Chernigov, Vladimir-Suzdal, Grand Duchy of Moscow, and the founders of the Tsardom of Russia.