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Oprichnik Forces Russian: Опричные войска, romanized: Oprichnie voyska | |
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Active | 1565—1572; de jure to 1584 |
Country | Tsardom of Russia |
Allegiance | Tsar |
Size | 6,000 |
Nickname(s) | Oprichnina |
The oprichnina (Russian: опри́чнина, IPA: [ɐˈprʲitɕnʲɪnə]) was a state policy implemented by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in Russia between 1565 and 1572. The policy included mass repression of the boyars (Russian aristocrats), including public executions and confiscation of their land and property. In this context the term can also refer to:[1][2]
The term oprichnina, which Ivan coined for this policy, derives from the Russian word oprich (Russian: опричь, apart from, except).