What does the word Stavka mean in Russian?
Stavka comes from an old Russian word meaning tent. It refers to the high command of the armed forces, and can describe the institution's members, the headquarters building, or the organization itself.
Questions about Stavka
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who was the first commander-in-chief of the Russian Stavka in World War I?
Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch was appointed commander-in-chief at the last minute in August 1914. He was a grandson of Tsar Nicholas I and played no part in drafting the military plans already in use at the war's start.
Where was the Imperial Russian Stavka located during World War I?
Stavka was first established in Baranovichi. In August 1915, following the German advance, it relocated to Mogilev, where Tsar Nicholas II spent long periods as Commander-in-Chief between 1915 and 1917.
When was the Soviet Stavka established during World War II?
The Soviet Stavka was established on the 23rd of June 1941 by a top-secret decree signed by Joseph Stalin, one day after Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Its founding members included Marshal Semyon Timoshenko, Georgy Zhukov, Vyacheslav Molotov, and Admiral Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov.
How many times was the Soviet Stavka reorganized during World War II?
The Soviet Stavka was reorganized twice in the summer of 1941. On the 10th of July it became the Stavka of the Supreme Command, and on the 8th of August 1941 it was renamed again as the Stavka of the Supreme Main Command.
When did Ukraine establish its own Stavka?
Ukraine established its Stavka by presidential decree number 72/2022, signed on the 24th of February 2022, the same day Russia launched its invasion. It serves as the highest command and control body for Ukraine's armed forces, law enforcement services, and other military agencies.