Am trying to remember my Russian history.
When Modest Mussorsky composed Pictures at an Exhibition containing “The Great Gate of Kiev” in about 1870 , Kiev was indeed considered part of the Russian motherland. I believe the natural boundaries were altered after one of the world wars. Possibly with the communist take over or the need to have a western access to the oceans
Regardless there are some people whose ancestors have been Russian for generations and are going to consider themselves Russian and want to continue the Russian rule
It’s the ukraine who may never have felt a part or under appreciated that seems to be rebelling. Unless there has been no mixed marriages in a couple hundred years, I’d say the difference between the two groups are blurry at best. May be nothing more than poor leadership at the local levels
Little night music:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JwrqAipON2w