Initially, as early as the 12th century, moskal referred to the residents of Muscovy, the word literally translating as "Muscovite" (differentiating the residents of the Grand Duchy of Moscow from other East Slavs such as people from White Ruthenia (Belarusians), Red Ruthenia (Ukrainians), and others).
From an early time, around the 12th century, moskal was used to describe the people living in Muscovy, with the word literally meaning "Muscovite" (differentiating them from other East Slavs like those from White Ruthenia, Red Ruthenia, and others).