Talk:Russians

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Archived discussions (oldest first): /Archive 1 ... /Archive 2

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Contents 1 Reasoning for 125-135 million change 2 Images of Russians in colour photography 3 Demographics Evolution 3.1 Demographics Evolution 4 Requested move 4.1 Voting 5 Maria Sharapova as one of the four most famous Russions? 6 3 million of Russians in USA ? 7 there are no 1M russians in israel 8 Infobox 9 Religion... 10 Axxn 06:27, 17 March 2007 (UTC) 11 Russians in Israel

[edit] Reasoning for 125-135 million change

Whether being "racy" or not, it is a fact that many of Russia's minority groups frequently register as Russians, and in addition to that many are overreported due to Russian estimates (it's not easy to take a census in Siberia). Here is some evidence online, though there are many better sources offline stating the same:

According to this publication, the percentage of the population that is ethnically Russian has declined from 81.5 in 1989 to 71.7 in 2002.

Source: http://www.csis.org/ruseura/ponars/policymemos/pm_0319.pdf

According to the census of the Russian Federation, the number of ethnic Russians was 104 million out of 144.2 million of the overall population in Russia. Considering the fact that demographic figures in Russia have always been considered to be a national security issue, then proceeding from Soviet/Russian practice of demographic overstatements, you can say for sure that the number of 104 ethnic Russians is set too high and it's already been quite a while since the real number of ethnic Russians sank under the psychological mark of 100 million.

Source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=IBR20050106&articleId=375

Please do not be foolish and stop reverting the edits. Thank you Antidote 23:26, 8 November 2005 (UTC)

If so, add to the articles that official estimates are being criticized but do not remove them as a whole. --Irpen 23:44, 8 November 2005 (UTC)

Why not? I'm still putting that 135 million is a possible statistics -- why do "official statistics" hold dominance over more obvious ones. The "official statistic" of English in America is 25 million, but CLEARLY that is an underestimate and so it is not presented.

Somebody reverted my edits that were alotted to me in the main text. This shows clear nationalistic bias. Any further edits of the like will be seen as "vandalism" or "coverup" and taken to the wikipedian authorities for analysis, for there is no reason why both are not allowed to be presented. Antidote 20:21, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

Your first quote from the article you said is on this website : http://www.csis.org/ruseura/ponars/policymemos/pm_0319.pdf says nothing about ethnic Russians being 71 % of Russian population instead of 80 %. Only some guesswork about official info being false. Your second article : http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=IBR20050106&articleId=375 is obviously very biased. Its is written by a Chechen and is taken from extremist web-site Kavkaz org. As soon as you find a credible reference I'll agree to have both estimates here. There are to factors I think you don't realize here : 1) Ethnicity is based on people's self-identification and culture not just on genes and blood. 2) Illegal immigrants/temprorary residents are not counted in any census/official statistic. Fisenko 21:29, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

You're simply "dismissing" all sources that do not fit your view. I clearly quoted where it talked about the 71% on the first publication above. The second being bias or not is only your opinion. Your assumption that Russian-reported statistics aren't bias is as foolhardy as one can get. The fact that sources exist to the contrary of the 80% mark, and that people bother to publish analysis on the subject is good enough proof as it is. I will not step down until these facts are given a primary mention in the article. Antidote 22:59, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

Once again the promblem is 1)Your first link re-directs to main CSIS website not to the article you quoted. 2)Your second article is taken from the same website as proclamations of "Holy War" by Basayev and other terrorists who think its nice and dandy to take hostage/rig with boms schools with Russian kids, etc. Fisenko 01:57, 10 November 2005 (UTC)

The first link is a PDF; that means you right click save as.

That's what I did. The same result. Fisenko 04:41, 10 November 2005 (UTC)

Whether the second link is made by terrorists that does not automatically refure their claim...like it or not.

Yes it does. Fisenko 04:41, 10 November 2005 (UTC)

Can we please come to a consensus? I hate revert wars. Is there any way you will include differing numbers in the population statistics? If no, then we will have to take this up the ladder. Antidote 15:43, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Please don't confuse "statistics" with "guessworks". One cannot sit in Berkeley and count Russians. If there is a reputable reseacrh, ie., published in books or peer-reviewed articels, not just in someone's blogs or in Chattanooga Chronicler, you are welcome to present the opposing views. But this can go only as a separate section. mikka (t) 22:13, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Images of Russians in colour photography

Is it truly necessary to have those on this page? It's not like anyone doesn't know what Russians look like. Plus we already have an image of Russians in traditional dress. Antidote 00:15, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

Actually, I think I'd like to have more, better pictures in the various ethnic pages to help people get an understanding of the various physical features of ethnicities. I'm really interested in that kind of thing and I've always considered the Slavic people to be highly attractive in general, but it's hard to tell now because you can't find good enough pictures of the average Russian or Pole without finding a glamour shot of a model. We need more good pictures of the average people on all the ethnic pages, and more than one.

[edit] Demographics Evolution

[edit] Demographics Evolution

>>>>>Until the late 19th century, Russia was a relatively underpopulated nation, especially when compared to the size of the territory on which it resided. In 1800, Russia had a population a little over 35 million, of which about a fourth included foreign nationals. By 1850, Russia's population doubled mainly due to the annexation of new lands from Catherine the Great's warfare gains. By the 20th century, Russia had the biggest population in Europe, as Tsarist Russia included many lands of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and Siberia. However, Russia's historically relative low population has revealed itself today in a new form. The fall of communism swung many Russians into poverty leading to a significant disparity between Russia's life expectancy and other Western countries'. In almost every area of Russia, death rates outcount birth rates, especially for ethnic Russians. The problem assessed today suggests a possible drop of almost a third of Russia's population in the next several decades.<<<<<

There is a number of problems with this new expansion of the article.

1) several historic inaccurancies , for example Russia could not possible double in size between 1800 and 1850 "mainly due to the annexation of new lands from Catherine the Great's warfare gains", for the number of reasons one of them is the fact that Catherine the Great died in 1796.

One of the best things I have read in a while! :)))) Nikola 10:53, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

2)second problem the article talks about demographic situation in the Russian Federation, USSR, the Russian Empire in general and not about ethnic Russians.

I'm glad you like it Nikola, I figured it needed to be added. Anyway, the user who analyzed this was right. It was not Catherine the Great, but in fact, her successor, Alexander the first. I was not paying attention to the dates, as there have been many great land gains under many reigns. Secondly, the article does talk about ethnic Russians, though that is not as pronounced. It is still appropriate here because it reflects the population statistics. HotelRoom 03:55, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

Please provide academic references for your population statistics. Some of your claims are very questionable. For example major territorial expansions of Russia were in 16th, 17th and 18th centuries not between 1800 and 1850. Fisenko 21:59, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

Hi. Here's one source for the numbers: [1]

• Here's a map showing territorial gain from 1800 [2] to [3] showing gains JUST on the European side.

There's plenty more. HotelRoom 23:37, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

The only population-wise significant gain for the Russian Empire between 1800 and 1850 was central Poland around Warsaw. That's about it, most major expansions of Russia were between 16th and late 18th century. Between 1800 and 1850 Russian population grew mostly because of Russian birth-rates not conquests. Fisenko 05:56, 19 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Requested move

[edit] Maria Sharapova as one of the four most famous Russions?

Someone must be kidding. What kind of jokers work is that? Well if a woman should be included then surely Catherine the Great. --Lucius1976 20:36, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

Yes, but she was German. Antidote 23:52, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

Wait, wasn't she Austrian? ;-) Jbetak 00:10, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

No, even worse, the was Prussian :-) and protestant. --Lucius1976 14:06, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

See Genealogy of the House of Romanov#Ascanian House for complete info about her nationality Kmorozov 10:21, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

I completely agree with Lucius. That's freaking ridiculous at best. Take it off and replace it with something serious....how about Anna Kournikova.(joking) but seriously change it. 71.125.244.183 00:13, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Sharapova is the Russian whose name is mentioned by Western media most often. I'd replace her with Yuri Gagarin. --Ghirla | talk 00:17, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Well, Sharapova is probably not among four greatest Russians of all times, but I'd like her to stay to represent the beauty of Russian women ;) Voyevoda 00:30, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Well, I don't believe that image aims at representing the most "famous" Russians: otherwise, where is Lenin? Sharapova may be not the greatest, but certainly one of the most representative: a) of modern Russians; b) of Russian women; c) of numerous great Russian sportspeople. Additionally, she is a familiar face to all those MTV-watching cheeseburger-chewing Yankees (ok, Westerners) who form the target audience of this project.--Ghirla | talk 00:47, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Lenin is not an ethnic Russian, is he? His grandfather was an ethnic Chuvash. He also has Kalmuck, Jewish and German admixtures. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 217.172.29.2 (talk) 20:35, 16 March 2007 (UTC).

I suggest taking her off and replacing her with Mikhail Gorbachev. Surely he's more important...ahem he pretty much changed the face of eastern europe. 71.125.244.183

What about expanding the number of images from four to eight? --Ghirla | talk 00:47, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Works for me :) 71.125.244.183

1. The image was not created in order to represent "most famous Russians" 2. Mikhail Gorbachev is a very controversial figure deeply unpopular with many Russians I would not recommend to include him. Ghirla summarized best my reasons for incuding Sharapova in the picture. Fisenko 01:17, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Whatever you say. But don't you find it slightly offensive that the picture of "Russians" shows Sharapova (who is great and all but not historically significant) among Peter the Great? I mean that's what it comes off as and it's silly. I think it's best to simply include more photos. 69.112.90.243

Believe me there would be more people offended by a picture of Gorbachev ...Fisenko 02:19, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Well, actually I agree it is not the point to include the most famous, or infamous persons. Rather the more positive people who made great achievements during history. I do not think that the tennis player did that. In hundred years no one will remember her. Well it is true that Catherine the Great was German, but so was William of Orange and he is included under the four greatest Dutch. Thats because he became a national hero of them. I find the suggestion of Juri Gagarin great. Do it. But i still believe Catherien the Great should be included as well. But, I believe the Russians on here should decide that. But, Sharapova is a joke. Sorry to say that. Might be eye candy, but apart from that. Otherwise Paris Hilton, god forbid, must be included under the four greatest Americans.

--Lucius1976 14:05, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Otherwise Paris Hilton, god forbid, must be included under the four greatest Americans.

I laughed hard to that one. ;) Anyway, I agree with removing Sharapova - but perhaps she can be replaced with another woman, a Russian artist maybe? Antidote 20:09, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

If any changes should be made at all is replacement of Peter the Great with for example Mikhail Lomonosov then we will have a more diverse range of Russians...one statesman from the middle ages, one scientist/educator from the 18th century, one writer from the end of 19th century and one modern female and sportsman. Two political leaders in the picture is the only downside I can see to a picture. The inspiration to this image was this one from the page on Serbs : . Although I think the picture looks good as it is. Presenting a charismatic image of the Russians to the English-speaking public is more important than presenting image of Russians with greatest achievment...and of course Catherine the Great's image would not be suitable becuase the article is about ethnic Russians. Fisenko 00:19, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

Peter the Great should stay. 69.112.90.243

I would leave the picture as it is. Sharapov may give way to Yuri Gagarin. Lomonosov is of secondary, not world-wide importance. --Ghirla | talk 10:06, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

Maybe change Sharapova with Anna Pavlova? If more pictures allowed m/b add Gagarin, Pushkin, Akhmatova, Kovalevskaya, Lobachevsky, Tsolkovsky? abakharev 11:38, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

I can only say, "wow"! I've come across this image from a Portal:Russia announcement , and I mean, come on, this image is nothing but a joke! I thought it was a case of vandalism! (Although from this discussion, it appears that it's not.) Seriously, you don't put painted portraits of Russian rulers and writers next to a western photograph of an ethnically Russian tennis player in order to represent Russians! People just won't understand! Masses are just going to revert the "vandalism", I'm surprised no-one has done that for good so far. MureninC 01:39, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy have been removed from the main image, as the former is not of ethnic Russian ancestry (a fact that he himself acknowledged), whereas the portait of the latter mostly consists of his beard, which conceals his Russian facial features. Instead, Alexander Nevsky and Anton Chekhov were added. Alexander Nevsky is supposed to represent the rich history of the Russian ethnicity and its historical roots, much in the same manner as the image of Elizabeth I is used in the article on the English. Anton Chekhov was chosen among the writers of the 19th century, as he is sufficiently famous throughout the world and has a very Russian appearance, which is quite evident in this particular portrait.

The size of the images has also been slightly modified.Humanophage 16:41, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 3 million of Russians in USA ?

http://factfinder.census.gov/ Reports people of Russian "ancestry" as more than 3 million people living in the US. To anyone familiar with the Russian-speaking community in North America it is clear what much smaller number would identify themselves as ethnic Russians in the USA. U.S. Census Bereau in this survey does not even have a separate ancestry category as "Jewish". It is rather clear what this survey labeled most immigrants and their ancestors from Russia and former Soviet Union as having Russian ancestry. Russian Jews followed by people of mixed ancestry who reported one of their often multiple ancestry origins as Russian would make up the largest group in this survey. I restored the old estimate reported here and will look for a more specific reference about ethnic Russians in USA. Fisenko 16:53, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

Yes I can argue against this statistic since U.S. Census Bureau uses different criteria in its "ancestry" data than other countries those ethnic statistics used in this article. For example statistic provided for Russia is based only on people's ethnic self-identification as Russians in recent census. US Census Bureau uses different criteria which includes both ethnic self-identification on survey and your ancestors place of birth, it also accepted multiple ancestry entries. [4]. That's why there is 3 million of people with Russian ancestry in USA but only 700 000 for example speak Russian language at home [5]. Even this 700 000 strong Russian-speaking community would be divided into ethnic Russians, Jews, Ukrainians, Tatars etc. in other statistic entries given for example for Kazakhstan or Latvia. Fisenko 23:11, 6 April 2006 (UTC)

Once again US Census Bureau accepts multiple entries in its ancestry date therefore person whose ethnicity would be "Jewish" or "German" in Russian or Kazakh census would call himself "Russian Jew" or "Russian German" in US Census would be entered separately under both Russian and for example Jewish ancestry numbers. Obviously it is well known fact ethnic Russian community in USA numbers in hundreds of thousands rather than millions. However, if you add to this all the people with partial Russian ancestry and all the people who would identify themselves as Russian Jews etc. and you have up to 3 million people. Fisenko 03:35, 10 April 2006 (UTC)

Living in North America, I can tell you the Russian community in the US is large, much larger than you think, and there is definitely somewhere close to 3 million with significant Russian heritage. Even if one includes Russian as a multiple entry, they still have Russian ethnic origin and you cant argue with that. If someone is Jewish then they usually select just Jewish, even if their Jewish ancestors came from Poland, Russia, wherever. Those who select Jewish or some other ethnicity along with Russian, are clearly stating they also have ethnic Russian origins as well. These people are deserve to be mentioned in the statistics and you cant claim the other statistics on this page exempt people who arent "pure" ethnic Russians. Im positive the other statistics include those who have some degree of non-Russian origins as well. I ask that you stop reverting this official census data. Thank you. Epf 22:59, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

We are not talking about ethnic "purity" or any of such nonsense here. The issue here is that US census bureau in its statistic uses multiple ethnic entries i.e. they will write a single person under different ancestry columns thus multiplying the number by several times compared to ethnic census in other countries, where the person would have no option but to state a single ancestry during the population census. [6]. The issue here is a difference in methods between census in USA and elswhere , specifically in former Soviet Union. Not "ethnic purity" or any of such demagogy. The number for Russian-speaking community in USA is only 700 000 [7] this number is much close to the real number of ethnic Russians in USA. I'm also very familiar with the Russian community in North America and its only significant in several major urban centres like New York, Toronto, Seattle, Boston, San-Francisco, Philadelphia and Miami. Fisenko 16:31, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

Im sorry to say but you are incorrect here, because there are significant Russian communities across Canada and the USA, not just in the largest urban centres. The number of people who speak Russian language is not the same thing as those who are of Russian ethnic origin. This article is about Russians as an ethnic group. Now because the responses include multiple origins, it does not mean they "multiply" their responses. Those who claim single Russian ancestry and those who claim Russian ancestry along with another (multiple) are added together to form the numbers. Therefore, these numbers do not exaggerate anything and are obviously quite accurate. I really think you might be confused with how the data is formulated. If someone says their ancestry is Russian only, then that is it, they are only counted once. When someone reports Russian and another ancestry, they are counted under both ancestry categories. When the numbers for each ancestry/ethnic category are accumulated, those who selected Russian and some other ancestry will be counted twice (for each ethnic category they reported) so that the total number of responses will obviously be more than the total number of those who took part in the census. This however does not mean that the numbers for each category are inflated and when 3 million report Russian ancestry, it means 3 million different people claim to have Russian ancestry either solely or along with another ancestry. So if say for example 700,000 reported Russian as a single ancestry, another 2 million or so would also be included who reported Russian along with another ancestry. So when there is 3 million people claiming Russian ancestry, it means there are 3 million different persons who claim to have Russian ethnic origins. I hope this helps clairfy some things, and if you already knew this, well then my apologies. Epf 17:17, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

Yes you are correct absolutely correct, there is no argument here. However my point was that in all other censuses present in the article they use a different method. On Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Latvian etc. censuses all people will have to choose and enter only a single ancestry. Therefore, the data used for all other countries would not use the same criteria as in USA. BTW Any member of the Russian immigrant community in North America will tell you what the "Russian-speaking" community in USA is larger than “ethnic Russian” community not the other way around. Fisenko 18:57, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

Well from personal experience growing up in North America, it is quite the contrary with most people who are European immigrants and their descendants. With most immigrant groups here unfortunately, there are more who are of the ethnic origin than those who can speak the language. The only exception may be Spanish as there is more people here who can speak it than can claim Spanish or mixed Spanish (Hispanic) ancestry. In Canada, multiculturalism and diversity is encouraged much more and with more cases here than in the US, the number of speakers is more than the number who can claim to be of the ethnicity. I see your point though that there are obviosuly millions more of Russian speakers in the world than ethnic Russians, but in the US, most of them have lost their knowledge of that language. At this point though, do you think the US census figure should be included or not ? Epf 05:35, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

You are not very familiar with the history of Russian immigration into North America. There were four waves so to speak of Russian immigrants into North America. First wave (1880-1910s) was relatively small and this were mostly peasants and religious minorities (like Dukhobors in Canada) and others from Russian Empire/Austro-Hungary and were just a small component of huge wave of East European migrants who mostly were Jews, Ukrainians, Rusyns, German Mennonites (many of who were known as Russians at the time) etc. Second wave of Russian immigrants followed the Russian Civil War of 1917-1921 consisted of anti-Bolshevik exiles the so-called White immigrants and was still relatively small (initially they prefered places closer to home in Europe or China), as well as third wave which followed the Second World War and was even smaller (most third wave immigrants were actually second wave White immigrants moving from Europe/China into North America). In the late 1980s and 1990s the largest influx of Russian immigrants came to North America (the breakdown of immigrants from former Soviet Union was still dominated by Jews, Ukrainians and other minorities), among recent immigrants many Russian Jews do very often identify themselves as simply Russians. It is also quiet clear what most of them have not yet forgotten their language. Fisenko 11:59, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

Most indeed have forgetten the language as with practically all other European migrant groups to the USA. The Russian Jews do cite Jewish ancestry for the most part, but it is impossible to tell how many non-Russians cite Russian or not. Either way, you cant debate and exempt official statistic data. If you like, you can put a note beside the reference to the data saying how the number may include some who possibly dont have any Russian ethnic origins. There is a separate category in the census for "Soviet Union" ancestry for those who are just putting where they came from geographically. You also underestimate the numbers of ethnic Russians who fled both during the great migrations to the Americas of the late 19th/early 20th centuries and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, The ethnic Russian communtiy is very large in America and Canada and these people very much are not simply Russian Jews. I am telling you from what can be read from history of Russian migration to the Americas and statistics about the ethnic Russian community here. Also, do not change the Canadian census data. Those who have Russian ancestry and another ancestry deserve to be included as well and it is ignorant POV in my opinion to say otherwise. Epf 02:28, 14 April 2006 (UTC)

Sorry to jump into an already-heated debate, but I feel it important to note that, despite what the U.S. census did a century ago, Jews are not an ethnic group - they're a religion. So it's probably not wise to use that as gauge of how many ethnic Russians live in the US. Seems to me the article has to more clearly define what does it mean by Russians living elsewhere. Perhaps "people born in Russia"? Kosboot 17:38, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] there are no 1M russians in israel

there are only 100000 russian citizens in israel, most of them are jewish! you can not clam russian ethnicity! giving the fact that most of the "russians" in israel are jewish and only speak in russian. i would put the real number on 50000 ethnic russians only! the major part of the russian speakers in israel came from ukraine, moldova and belarus. about 1/4 of the so called "russians" in israel came from central asia. --Ifeldman84 22:41, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Don't mistake ethnicity for nationality, that's something that happens way too often and it's quite annoying, actually. You can be ethnic Russian without being from Russia or speaking the Russian language. You can speak whatever language you want, follow whatever religion you want, and be whatever nationality you want, but nothing can change your ethnicity.

no no, you mistake by considering jews as a religous group ONLY, NOW THAT'S something that happens way too often and it's REALLY REALLY REALLY annoying, actually.Varcety 19:01, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Please don't try to insult my understanding of ethnicity—it is one of the only things I do understand. I know what Judaism is, and I know what qualifies as a Jew and what doesn't. I'm also aware that you have mistaken ethnicity to mean that they act Russian, speak Russian, and identify as Russian. All of these are highly doubtful, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't make assumptions about what I do and do not know. — Hizrael

In case of Judaism, ethnicity is flexible. According to quite a lot of people, someone who changes his religion to Judaism, becomes an ethnic Jew.

A considerable number of Israeli citizens who were born in the former SU are ethnic Russians according to themselves and/or to legal definitions. It is a controversial issue in Israel - some consider themselves Jewish, but are defined as Russians by the Israeli law and vice-versa. I don't have any numbers, though and 50,000 is dubious.

What no-one can really change is the place where a person was born. Correct me if i am wrong, but that is called "nationality". Most of the people in question were born in Russia/Ukraine/Belarus/Moldova, although i don't have the exact numbers for that too. --Amir E. Aharoni 06:48, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

"A considerable number of Israeli citizens who were born in the former SU are ethnic Russians" - i doubt it considerably. i think that out of the 100K russian citizens in israel (those are the people who immigrated after 1997) there are about 50% NON-jews as the israel statistics show. and so the number 50K might be very accurate. others out of the 300K non jews in israel mostly are ukrainians. oohh... really who gives a damn?--Ifeldman84 19:31, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

Personally i don't give a damn, but some people do give a damn, and thats what encyclopedias are for.

As i said, i don't have the numbers myself, and i don't have the time and the mood to look for them. If you find any numbers, please give the source. Thanks for your efforts! --Amir E. Aharoni 08:42, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

I was born in Israel and lived there for 5 years, and I can tell you that there were a significant amount of ethnic Russians, as well as people of mixed Slavic-Russian/Jewish-Russian heritage. After the USSR opened up it's borders, Israel was one of the easiest places to get to which is why many Soviets, be they Jewish or not, migrated to Israel.--CommanderJamesBond 11:00, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox

I drastically shortened the infobox by conflating the population figures into 3 categories (Russia, other ex-USSR, non-USSR). This unfortunately involved adding up census figures from different years in different countries undoubtedly gathered by different methodologies (the source data are still available in the footnotes); if you object, please suggest another way to shorten the infobox, since the length was getting pretty ridiculous. Thanks! cab 13:21, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Religion...

A very large number of Russians are atheists. I think it would be right to mention this in the article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.227.3.100 (talk) 18:18, 18 February 2007 (UTC).

i smell cheese

[edit] Axxn 06:27, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

The 2001 census of Uzbekistan puts the Russian population at 1,092,000. Is it possible to reduce the figure to 620,000 in 2005?????? [8]

[edit] Russians in Israel

Is there any way to derive the number of ethnic Russians in Israel? The Israeli census lists 291,700 "Others" (non-Jews and non-Arabs), but it is unclear as to how many of these are ethnic Russians (as opposed to other Christian ethnicities). Cossack 14:47, 7 April 2007 (UTC)