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Russian Orthodox Army Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Russian Orthodox Army: Ideology, Operations, and History

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The Russian Orthodox Army: Ideology, Operations, and History Study Guide

Founding and Identity

The Russian Orthodox Army was founded in 2014, and its main headquarters was located in an occupied Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) building in Donetsk.

Answer: True

Explanation: The sources confirm that the ROA was established in 2014 and based its headquarters in an occupied SBU building in the city of Donetsk.

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The Russian name for the Russian Orthodox Army is 'Russkaya pravoslavnaya armiya'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source explicitly provides 'Russkaya pravoslavnaya armiya' as the Russian-language name for the group.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's emblem serves as a visual representation of the paramilitary group.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material includes an image of the ROA's emblem, identifying it as the official visual representation of the group.

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In what year was the Russian Orthodox Army established?

Answer: 2014

Explanation: The source material explicitly states that the Russian Orthodox Army was founded in 2014.

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The main headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Army was located in an occupied building belonging to which Ukrainian service?

Answer: Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)

Explanation: The ROA's main headquarters was located in an occupied building of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Donetsk city.

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What is the Russian name for the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: 'Russkaya pravoslavnaya armiya'

Explanation: The source explicitly provides 'Russkaya pravoslavnaya armiya' as the Russian-language name for the group.

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Ideology and Characterization

The Russian Orthodox Army was a Ukrainian nationalist paramilitary group that primarily fought against Russian forces in the Donbas region.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source material identifies the Russian Orthodox Army as a pro-Russian separatist group that fought against Ukrainian forces, making the statement incorrect.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's key ideological tenets included anti-Catholicism and anti-Protestantism, alongside Russian nationalism.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material lists Russian nationalism, Russian Orthodox extremism, anti-Catholicism, and anti-Protestantism as core components of the group's ideology.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was described as 'pro-Tsarist' and 'extremist' Eastern Orthodox Christian among other pro-Russian separatist militia units.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms that the ROA was characterized as 'pro-Tsarist' and 'extremist' Eastern Orthodox Christian within the context of other separatist militias.

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The Russian Orthodox Army is broadly categorized as a communist militia due to its anti-Western stance.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA is categorized as a nationalistic militia with a 'pro-Tsarist' and 'extremist' Eastern Orthodox Christian ideology, not a communist one.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's ideology included a strong pro-Ukrainian sentiment and support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA's ideology was characterized by anti-Ukrainian sentiment, and it was accused of persecuting members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was considered a 'pro-Tsarist' group, reflecting its historical and monarchist leanings.

Answer: True

Explanation: Among other pro-Russian militias, the ROA was specifically described as 'pro-Tsarist,' indicating a monarchist element to its nationalist ideology.

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Which of the following was a key ideological tenet of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: Anti-Ukrainian sentiment

Explanation: The source lists anti-Ukrainian sentiment, along with Russian nationalism and religious extremism, as a core ideological tenet of the ROA.

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How was the Russian Orthodox Army characterized among other pro-Russian separatist militia units in Donbas?

Answer: As 'pro-Tsarist' and 'extremist' Eastern Orthodox Christian

Explanation: The ROA was distinguished from other separatist militias by its description as a 'pro-Tsarist' and 'extremist' Eastern Orthodox Christian group.

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How is the Russian Orthodox Army broadly categorized?

Answer: A nationalistic militia

Explanation: The ROA is broadly categorized as a nationalistic militia, consistent with its paramilitary nature and Russian nationalist ideology.

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Leadership and Affiliations

Pavel Gubarev was identified as the leader of the Russian Orthodox Army and also held roles such as governor of the Donetsk People's Republic.

Answer: True

Explanation: Pavel Gubarev is explicitly named as the leader of the ROA and is also credited with holding multiple titles, including governor of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's primary allies included the Luhansk People's Republic and the Ukrainian government.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Luhansk People's Republic was an ally, the Ukrainian government was the ROA's primary opponent, not an ally.

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As of January 2017, members of the Russian Orthodox Army swore allegiance to Pavel Gubarev, their identified leader.

Answer: False

Explanation: By January 2017, members of the ROA swore allegiance to Igor Girkin ('Strelkov'), not Pavel Gubarev.

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Pavel Gubarev claimed that the Russian Orthodox Army was organized by Russian National Unity (RNU) under his direct control.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that Pavel Gubarev made the claim that the ROA was organized by the RNU under his control.

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Historian Marlène Laruelle confirmed a direct connection between the ROA and Russian National Unity (RNU) based on reliable sources in Ukraine.

Answer: False

Explanation: Marlène Laruelle stated that no reliable sources in Ukraine could verify a direct connection, and the ROA's own social media showed no direct link to the RNU.

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Many central figures in Donetsk, including Pavel Gubarev, were linked to Russian National Unity (RNU) at the beginning of the insurgency in 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source indicates that at the start of the 2014 insurgency, many key figures in Donetsk, most notably Pavel Gubarev, were described as being directly or indirectly related to the RNU.

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Pavel Gubarev was the founder of the New Russia Party and the foreign affairs minister of the Donetsk People's Republic.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that among Pavel Gubarev's multiple roles were the founder of the New Russia Party and foreign affairs minister for the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic.

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Who was identified as the leader of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: Pavel Gubarev

Explanation: The source identifies Pavel Gubarev as the leader of the Russian Orthodox Army.

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Which of these entities was considered an ally of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: The Donetsk People's Republic

Explanation: The source identifies the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, and Russia as allies of the ROA.

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What connection was noted between Pavel Gubarev and Russian National Unity (RNU) at the beginning of the insurgency?

Answer: He was directly or indirectly related to RNU

Explanation: At the start of the 2014 insurgency, Pavel Gubarev and other central figures in Donetsk were described as being directly or indirectly related to Russian National Unity (RNU).

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Which of the following roles did Pavel Gubarev NOT hold during the conflict?

Answer: Minister of Defence of the Donetsk People's Republic

Explanation: While Gubarev held multiple titles, the role of Minister of Defence of the Donetsk People's Republic was held by Igor Girkin ('Strelkov'), not Gubarev.

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What did historian Marlène Laruelle conclude regarding a direct connection between the ROA and Russian National Unity (RNU)?

Answer: She stated no reliable sources could verify the connection

Explanation: Historian Marlène Laruelle observed that despite suspicions, no reliable sources in Ukraine could verify a direct link, and the ROA's own social media did not display one.

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As of January 2017, to whom did members of the Russian Orthodox Army swear allegiance?

Answer: Igor Girkin ('Strelkov')

Explanation: The source states that as of January 2017, ROA members swore allegiance to Igor Girkin ('Strelkov'), the insurgent and Minister of Defence of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic.

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What was one of Pavel Gubarev's claims regarding the organization of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: It was organized by Russian National Unity (RNU) under his control

Explanation: Pavel Gubarev, the ROA's leader, claimed that the group was organized by Russian National Unity (RNU) and was under his personal control.

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Which of Pavel Gubarev's roles involved foreign affairs?

Answer: Foreign affairs minister of the Donetsk People's Republic

Explanation: The source lists 'foreign affairs minister' of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic as one of the multiple titles held by Pavel Gubarev.

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Military Operations and Conflicts

The Russian Orthodox Army participated in skirmishes in both Mariupol and Amvrosiivka Raion in June 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms that the ROA was involved in military engagements in Mariupol and Amvrosiivka Raion during June 2014.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was in conflict with the Vostok Battalion, which accused the ROA of avoiding combat and looting.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported an internal conflict between the ROA and the Vostok Battalion, with the latter accusing the ROA of looting and combat avoidance.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was primarily active in the Crimean region of Ukraine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA was primarily active in the Donbas region of Ukraine, not Crimea.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was a key participant in the Chechen Wars.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA was founded in 2014 and participated in the Russo-Ukrainian War, specifically in the Donbas region, not the Chechen Wars.

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The Vostok Battalion praised the Russian Orthodox Army for its aggressive combat tactics and effective looting.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Vostok Battalion was in conflict with the ROA and accused it of avoiding combat and looting, which are criticisms, not praise.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was primarily a defensive force, avoiding offensive military engagements.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA was a paramilitary group that fought against Ukrainian forces and participated in skirmishes, indicating it was an active combatant, not a purely defensive force.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's primary opponent was the Donetsk People's Republic.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Donetsk People's Republic was an ally of the ROA; its primary opponent was the state of Ukraine and its armed forces.

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What was the principal operational role of the Russian Orthodox Army (ROA)?

Answer: Engaging Ukrainian forces during the War in Donbas

Explanation: The ROA is defined as a paramilitary group whose principal function was fighting against Ukrainian forces as part of the War in Donbas.

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What accusations did the Vostok Battalion make against the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: Looting and avoiding combat

Explanation: The Vostok Battalion, another pro-Russian militia, was in conflict with the ROA and accused it of looting and avoiding combat.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was primarily active in which specific region of Ukraine?

Answer: Donbas region

Explanation: The source material consistently places the ROA's primary area of operations within the Donbas region of Ukraine.

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In which major conflict did the Russian Orthodox Army participate?

Answer: The Russo-Ukrainian War

Explanation: The ROA was founded in 2014 and participated in the War in Donbas, which is a component of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War.

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Which of the following was the primary opponent faced by the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: Ukraine

Explanation: The ROA was a pro-Russian separatist group fighting against the state of Ukraine and its armed forces.

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In June 2014, the Russian Orthodox Army was involved in skirmishes in which two locations?

Answer: Mariupol and Amvrosiivka Raion

Explanation: The source specifies that in June 2014, the ROA participated in military engagements in Mariupol and Amvrosiivka Raion.

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What was the name of the pro-Russian militia with which the Russian Orthodox Army had an internal conflict?

Answer: Vostok Battalion

Explanation: According to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the ROA was in conflict with another pro-Russian militia, the Vostok Battalion.

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Allegations of War Crimes and Persecution

The Russian Orthodox Army was accused of religious persecution, including the kidnapping and threatening of Protestants and Catholics.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material explicitly states that the ROA was accused of kidnapping, beating, and threatening Protestants, Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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The 2014 massacre of Protestants in Sloviansk, in which the ROA was reportedly involved, was motivated by political rather than religious reasons.

Answer: False

Explanation: The massacre was reportedly motivated by religious hatred, as ROA members associated Protestants with 'US agents'.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was involved in the abduction of two priests, Sergeii Kulbaka and Father Pawel Witek, in late 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: In late November 2014, the ROA abducted Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest Sergeii Kulbaka and Roman Catholic priest Father Pawel Witek.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was accused of anti-Semitic acts in addition to persecuting Christian denominations.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material states that the ROA and other separatist groups were accused of participating in anti-Semitic acts alongside the persecution of various Christian groups.

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The Russian Orthodox Army's involvement in the 2014 Sloviansk massacre was confirmed by multiple independent investigations.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that the ROA was 'reportedly' involved, indicating an allegation rather than a confirmed fact from independent investigations.

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In which specific massacre was the Russian Orthodox Army reportedly involved?

Answer: The 2014 massacre of Protestants in Sloviansk

Explanation: The source material explicitly links the Russian Orthodox Army to reported involvement in the 2014 massacre of Protestants in the city of Sloviansk.

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What was the apparent motivation for the 2014 massacre of Protestants in Sloviansk?

Answer: Religious hatred of Protestants, who were associated with 'US agents'

Explanation: The massacre was reportedly motivated by religious hatred, with ROA members viewing Protestants as being associated with 'US agents'.

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Which two priests were abducted by the Russian Orthodox Army in late November 2014?

Answer: Sergeii Kulbaka and Father Pawel Witek

Explanation: The source identifies the abducted priests as Sergeii Kulbaka, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, and Father Pawel Witek, a Roman Catholic priest.

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How did church officials interpret the 2014 Sloviansk massacre?

Answer: It was an act of religious persecution

Explanation: The source states that church officials believed the 2014 Sloviansk massacre was an act of religious persecution.

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What was one of the accusations of religious persecution leveled against the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: Kidnapping and threatening Protestants and Catholics

Explanation: The source explicitly mentions that the ROA was accused of kidnapping, beating, and threatening Protestants and Catholics.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was accused of participating in what type of acts in addition to persecuting Christian denominations?

Answer: Anti-Semitic acts

Explanation: The source material states that the ROA, along with other separatist groups, was accused of participating in anti-Semitic acts.

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Organizational Structure and Dissolution

Eyewitnesses estimated the Russian Orthodox Army's membership at 4,000, while Russian journalists provided a lower estimate of 500.

Answer: False

Explanation: The estimates were reversed; Russian journalists reported a membership of 4,000, whereas eyewitnesses provided a lower estimate of 500.

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The Russian Orthodox Army was ultimately absorbed into the Vostok Battalion after its organizational change in September 2014.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ROA was absorbed into the Oplot Fifth Separate Infantry Brigade, not the Vostok Battalion, with which it had an internal conflict.

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The Russian Orthodox Army had extensive special military training beyond standard conscription service.

Answer: False

Explanation: It is reported that members of the ROA had no special military training beyond the usual conscription service.

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The Russian Orthodox Army underwent a change in its organizational structure in early 2015.

Answer: False

Explanation: The organizational change or 'change in format' for the Russian Orthodox Army occurred in September 2014, not in 2015.

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What was the lower estimate of the Russian Orthodox Army's membership, as provided by eyewitnesses?

Answer: 500 members

Explanation: While Russian journalists cited a figure of 4,000, eyewitnesses provided a lower estimate of 500 members for the ROA.

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What was the ultimate fate of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: It was absorbed into the Oplot Fifth Separate Infantry Brigade

Explanation: The source material states that the Russian Orthodox Army was eventually absorbed into the Oplot Fifth Separate Infantry Brigade.

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What kind of military training did members of the Russian Orthodox Army reportedly possess?

Answer: No special training beyond usual conscription service

Explanation: The source material reports that members of the ROA had no special training beyond what they would have received during standard conscription service.

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When did the Russian Orthodox Army undergo a change in its organizational structure?

Answer: September 2014

Explanation: The source specifies that the Russian Orthodox Army 'changed its format' in September 2014.

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According to Russian journalists, what was the reported membership size of the Russian Orthodox Army?

Answer: 4,000 members

Explanation: The source cites Russian journalists as reporting that the ROA had a membership of 4,000.

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