Why were the guardsmen unable to become the elite of society?

The guardsmen were part of the tsar’s policy, which was called the oprichnina. It must be remembered that this phenomenon arose against the background of the defeat in the Livonian War. The promises to the common people for their participation in the war were not fulfilled. Such tsarist troops were subordinate to the tsar and carried out his orders. The withdrawal of power and money from the feudal lords could in no way arouse sympathy. The mass executions aroused fear and hatred. The campaign against Novgorod affected the interests of all sectors of society in this city. The atrocities that the guardsmen carried out were disgusting. The Tsar’s guard did not spare either women or children. Theft and robbery flourished. Complete impunity prompted these people to commit more and more heinous crimes under the guise of the name of the king. At the end of their stormy activities, thieves and robbers simply did not appear in the war against the Crimean Khan.