There is no doubt that Swedish Vikings, known as the Rus of Kiev, once ruled the area now known as Ukraine. But there is also a theory that the original Russian royal family (particularly the Rurikid dynasty) was of Swedish Viking heritage.

This theory is supported by a combination of historical texts, archaeological findings, and linguistic evidence. Several primary and secondary sources provide information on the Scandinavian roots of the Rurikid dynasty, and they contribute to the argument that the first Russian rulers were of Norse (and specifically Swedish) origin. Below are some of the key historic sources and evidence:

1. The Primary Chronicle (Tale of Bygone Years)

• Date: Early 12th century

• Author: Traditionally attributed to Nestor, a monk from Kiev.

• Content: The Primary Chronicle is the most important written source regarding the early history of the Slavic peoples and Kievan Rus. It recounts the origins of the Rus people and how the local Slavic and Finnic tribes invited the Varangians (Vikings) to rule over them due to internal disputes. The chronicle specifically names Rurik, a Varangian (often interpreted as being of Swedish origin), as the ruler invited in 862 AD to establish order in the region, marking the beginning of the Rurikid dynasty.

• Quote: "The Chud, the Slovenes, the Krivichians and the Ves’ said to the Varangians: ‘Our land is great and rich, but there is no order in it. Come to rule and reign over us.’ Three brothers with their kinfolk, Rurik, Sineus, and Truvor, set out with their entire families."

• Significance: The chronicle provides direct narrative evidence connecting the origins of the Russian royal family to the Swedish Varangians. It also reflects the widespread belief in early medieval Slavic sources that the ruling elite of Kievan Rus had Scandinavian origins.
  
  

2. Ibn Fadlan's Account

• Date: 10th century

• Author: Ahmad ibn Fadlan, an Arab traveler and diplomat.

• Content: While not specifically about the royal family, Ibn Fadlan's descriptions of the Rus people along the Volga River give important insight into the cultural practices of the Scandinavian rulers in Eastern Europe. He describes the Rus as tall, fair-skinned, and heavily tattooed, with customs distinct from the local Slavic population, reinforcing the idea of a Norse ruling class.

• Quote: "I have seen the Rus as they came on their merchant journeys and encamped by the Itil [Volga]. I have never seen more perfect physical specimens."

• Significance: Ibn Fadlan’s description of the Rus matches the characteristics of Scandinavian Vikings, who were dominant in trade and warfare during this period. This account supports the narrative of a Scandinavian origin for the early Rus rulers, including the royal family.
  
  

3. De Administrando Imperio

• Date: Mid-10th century

• Author: Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, a Byzantine emperor.

• Content: This Byzantine text offers insights into the political and cultural connections between the Byzantine Empire and the Rus people. In his work, Constantine VII describes the Rus as a people living to the north of Byzantium who were of Scandinavian origin, calling them “Rhos” (interpreted as Norsemen). The emperor’s records emphasize the Scandinavian roots of the Rus and mention that they engaged in diplomacy and trade with Byzantium.

• Significance: As a contemporaneous source, Constantine VII’s work strengthens the identification of the Rus with Scandinavian Varangians. The text, written from an outside perspective, corroborates the idea that the Rus ruling elite had Norse origins.
  
  

4. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

• Date: Late 9th to 12th century
• Content: While primarily focused on English history, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle makes several mentions of the Varangians (Vikings), including the Rus. These references help place the Varangians, including those in the East, within the broader Viking world, which was centered in Scandinavia (particularly Sweden and Denmark).
  
  

5. Runestones

• Date: 10th and 11th centuries

• Locations: Sweden

• Content: Several runestones found in Sweden make reference to individuals who traveled to the East, or “Austrvegr”, often identified as the lands of the Rus. The Ingvar Runestones are particularly notable, commemorating Vikings from Sweden who went on expeditions to the East. These stones support the notion of close ties between Swedish Vikings and the areas that would later become part of the Russian state.

• Significance: The runestones provide archaeological evidence of Swedish Viking expeditions and settlements in Eastern Europe, where Kievan Rus was founded. These inscriptions give a tangible link between Scandinavian warriors and traders and the Rus people.
  
  

6. Archaeological Evidence

• Finds in Ladoga and Novgorod: Excavations in the regions of Staraya Ladoga and Novgorod, some of the earliest settlements in Kievan Rus, have unearthed Norse artifacts, including weapons, jewelry, and tools. Ladoga, in particular, is believed to have been a Viking trading post before evolving into a Slavic town.

• Scandinavian Burials: Several burials in the early Rus territories exhibit features typical of Viking funerary practices, such as the inclusion of weapons and other grave goods, reinforcing the Norse connection.
  
  

7. Norse Sagas

• Date: Written down in the 13th century, reflecting oral traditions from earlier centuries.
• Content: Various sagas, such as the "Saga of Olaf Tryggvason", mention the exploits of Vikings in Eastern Europe, including the region of Rus. Although these sagas were written down much later than the events they describe, they preserve the memory of Viking involvement in the founding of Rus and highlight the strong connections between Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
  
  

Conclusion

Several historic sources support the theory that the original Russian royal family, particularly the Rurikid dynasty, was of Swedish Viking origin. The most notable among these are the Primary Chronicle, De Administrando Imperio, and various archaeological findings, including Norse burials and runestones. Together, these sources present a compelling case for the Scandinavian roots of the rulers who established Kievan Rus, a precursor to modern Russia.