Question: Mikhail Gorbachev was Russia’s first elected president.: Answer: Boris Yeltsin was the first popularly elected leader of Russia. He served as president of the country from 1990 to 1999. He died in 2007.

Question: Nikita Khrushchev was a leader of the Soviet Union.: Answer: The premier of the Soviet Union from 1958 to 1964 was Nikita Khrushchev. He pursued a policy of “peaceful coexistence” with the West.

Question: The last Russian tsar ruled until 1945.: Answer: The last Russian tsar, Nicholas II, was deposed in 1917. Russia was a communist nation until 1991, when it adopted a presidential system.

Question: The grand duchess Anastasia was the only member of Nicholas II’s immediate family to avoid execution by the Bolsheviks.: Answer: Although numerous women made claims to Anastasia’s identity—and to the Romanov fortune that was held in Swiss banks—none could provide compelling evidence that she was the lost duchess.

Question: St. Petersburg, Russia, is older than New York City.: Answer: St. Petersburg was founded in 1703. New York City was founded in 1626.

Question: Russia defeated Japan in the Russo-Japanese War.: Answer: The Russo-Japanese War ended in 1905 with a Japanese victory after Russia unsuccessfully tried to expand its power in East Asia.

Question: The Soviet Union was created after the Russian Revolution.: Answer: The Bolshevik, or Communist, leaders of the Russian Revolution established the Soviet Union in 1917. It lasted until 1991.

Question: Vladimir Putin was the last tsar of Russia.: Answer: Vladimir Putin was a president of Russia, not a tsar. In addition, he served as his country’s prime minister.

Ivan IV. Woodcut of Ivan the Terrible, Tsar of Russia, c16th century. Ruler of Russia as grand duke (1533-47) and czar (1547-84). aka Ivan Vasilevish, Ivan Vasilyevich, Ivan Grozny

Exploring Russia: Fact or Fiction?

Although it is the largest country in the world, how expansive is your knowledge of Russia? From historic tsars to contemporary presidents, expand your knowledge of Russia with this quiz.

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