This is kind of a complex notion, because a Russian “state” existed before the idea of a “nation” did. So the assumptions made in this question are that there is a state which has absolute borders which is recognizably Russian in character, and that it’s possible for people within that recognized state to have no idea of the state which they are ostensibly part of. Basically, it assumes an Imperial framework. There are some people in Russia today who know about the Russian state but would probably reject the idea of belonging to said state, especially in more culturally diverse regions.

Given that caveat, and in the spirit of answering your question, though, we can kind of say yes! Russian claims during the age of Imperialism were extremely vast and based on the descriptions of explorers, much like claims in the New World by other Europeans. In fact, the United States bought Alaska from Russia, but realistically the claims to Alaska were recognized only by European and White American powers, not by the natives living there. Actual functional control- or even communication- beyond a few forts along the water was much more difficult.

Even in “Russia proper,” though, there were difficulties. Though it’s an environmental history primarily, Bathsheba Demuth’s Floating Coast is an excellent glimpse into the difficulties of both the Russian monarchy and the Soviets in trying to establish a functional military and political hegemony over the Bering Strait and the people’s who live there. The Russian monarchy even had concerns that American merchants might accidentally acculturate the local people, making them more loyal to Americans than to the Russians, who they saw rarely beyond sparse fort/ trading posts. Even those locals who were familiar with the Russians or Americans had to be taught that they were part of the empire, and I’m sure there were people in remote regions who never saw or knew of the forts from whichever the Russians “ruled” the land in name.

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An additional note: If you are coming here to post about the Lykov family, which is best known from the profile in Smithsonian Magazine several years back, don't post it. If you actually have read the article, you will know that it does not answer the question. They only went into exile in 1936, and only as a response to religious persecution of the Old Believers by the Bolsheviks, a sect to which they belonged. They knew what country they lived in, and who was in charge of it.

We have removed several people linking to this article, and will begin issuing temporary bans for anyone who does from this point onwards, as, again, it does not answer the question.