| Streltsy | |
|---|---|
| Russian: стрельцы | |
 | |
| Active | 1550–1720 |
| Country |  Russia |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | Russian Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Moscow |
| Patron | Saint George |
| Engagements | Siege of Kazan Livonian War Battle of Molodi Polish–Russian War (1609–1618) Smolensk War Russo-Polish War (1654–1667) Great Northern War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Ivan the Terrible |
The streltsy (Russian: стрельцы, IPA: [strʲɪlʲˈt͡sɨ], lit. 'shooters/firearm troops'; sg. стрелец, strelets, IPA: [strʲɪˈlʲet͡s]) were the units of Russian firearm infantry from the 16th century to the early 18th century and also a social stratum, from which personnel for streltsy troops were traditionally recruited. They are also collectively known as streletskoye voysko (стрелецкое войско, firearm troops). These infantry troops reinforced feudal levy horsemen or pomestnoye voysko (поместное войско).
The first units were established by Ivan the Terrible as part of the first Russian standing army.[1] The streltsy were under the administration of the Streletsky prikaz from 1571.[2]
- ^ Møller, Jørgen (19 December 2016). State Formation, Regime Change, and Economic Development. Taylor & Francis. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-134-82700-8.
- ^ Langer, Lawrence N. (11 December 2001). Historical Dictionary of Medieval Russia. Scarecrow Press. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-8108-6618-8.