Buriat is mainly spoken in Russia and the bordering northern Mongolia.  Many Buryats live nomadic lifestyles, herding and using gers as shelters.  They have historically had a strong connection to nature, and family and kinship groups are very important to them. In terms of religious beliefs, some Buryats are Orthodox Christian, and some are Buddhist.  Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Buryats are one of the minorities reporting a disproportionately high mortality rate.