The first russian civilization was influenced and developed by the

Kievan Rus'

The Kievan Rus' is considered the cultural ancestor of modern-day Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.  It was a loose federation of Slavic tribes in eastern Europe during the 9th-13th centuries, at its height of strength in the early part of the 11th century.  At its height, Kievan Rus' territory stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Democracy and darwinism would be my answer.