The report covers the Eastern European plain and Baltic corridor: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, and western Russia (west of the Ural Mountains). This definition follows the UN and Eurostat geographic framework for Eastern Europe.
We chose these countries specifically because of the ancient DNA evidence available. Russia (western only) gives us ice-age hunters, steppe herders, and Bronze Age cultures. Poland has the richest archaeological record for Neolithic farmers and Corded Ware people. Ukraine is essential for understanding Trypillian communities, steppe herders, and Scythians. The Baltic states open up the story of ancient hunter-gatherers and Corded Ware migrations. Moldova reveals steppe-fringe populations.