Who supported Ivan the Terrible?

Answer 1

Ivan the Terrible was supported by a coalition of nobles known as the boyars, who initially backed his rise to power. However, his reign later saw a significant shift as he became increasingly autocratic and distrustful of the boyars, leading to conflicts. He also relied on the Oprichniki, a secret police force he established to enforce his rule and suppress dissent. Additionally, the Russian Orthodox Church often supported him, as he positioned himself as a defender of the faith.