The aim of this article is to juxtapose the awareness and desire for freedom/unfreedom in Ukrainians and Muscovites. The text draws these parallels on the materials of the literary and scientific work of one of the first historians of the modern school, Mykola Kostomarov. The materials of the study were the stories «Kudeyar» and «Chernyhivka», historical and ethnographic works «The Law of God, or the Book of the Life of the Ukrainian People», «Historical Monographs and Studies», «Home life and Customs of the Muscovites», «Two Russ’ Nationalities», «Truth to Muscovites about Rus», «Truth to Poles about Rus», etc. The comparison considers the historical development of peoples, the difference in the state systems, the relationship between the head of state and the people, the attitude of people to others in regard to their place in the hierarchy, the attitude towards women and marriage.