Almost anything related to the Rus is confusing - dark hair, black costumes of Mongolian warriors, to Christianity. The Rus were not Christians at that time. Give it another 100 years and it would be true. And the raids - Kievan Russ was too far away from Kattigat and the Rus had fight through other Slavic and Germanic tribes in order to get to Western Scandiavia, or sail. They sailed and it means they had to attack Kattigat first. It this case King Harold would definitely say "not my problem". If the Rus attacked Eastern Scandinavia first then how is it possible that Hvitserk met with Ivar. He would have to walk the entire Scandinavia in wet clothes and without food.
The truth is the Rus never attacked Norway. They traded with them. Novgorod was one of the biggest and richest cities of Europe. They had no reason to attack any territory - traders came to them.
The truth is the Rus never attacked Norway. They traded with them. Novgorod was one of the biggest and richest cities of Europe. They had no reason to attack any territory - traders came to them.