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 period, around the 12th century, moskal was used to denote the people of Muscovy, setting them apart from other East Slavic groups like those from White Ruthenia, Red Ruthenia, and others.