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Rossiyane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rossiyane (in Cyrillic: Россияне) is a plural Russian term used in Russian demographics, ethnography, and politics to denote peoples living in the Russian Federation, or previously in the Russian Empire, or who otherwise consider Russia to be their home country, regardless of their ethnic background or religion. Its singular form is Rossiyanin (masculine) or Rossiyanka (feminine). There is no English equivalent.
A Volga German and a Kalmyk, for instance, would be considered a Rossiyanin, but not an ethnic Russian. Prior to the October Revolution, a Rossiyanin could also be a citizen of modern day Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, and other countries that were a part of the Russian Empire. The term would also apply to anyone who considers the territory of Russia to be their homeland, even if not living there or holding Russian citizenship (i.e. during the Soviet period).