Final answer:
The streltsy were elite military units in Russia, serving from the 16th to the early 18th century as musketeers and imperial guards, with significant political influence. Eventually, they were disbanded by Peter the Great.
Step-by-step explanation:
The streltsy were elite military units that served as a combination of imperial guard and army during the 16th to early 18th centuries in Russia. They were highly trained musketeers, and their main duties included guarding the Kremlin, serving in wars, and participating in parades and other ceremonies. Over time, they gained considerable political influence, which they used to intervene in state affairs, leading to several uprisings. However, their involvement in these rebellions would eventually lead to their disbandment by Peter the Great after one such uprising in the early eighteenth century. Therefore, the correct answer is they were Kremlin musketeers.
The Streltsy indeed served as elite military units in Russia from the 16th to the early 18th centuries. Initially established as a combination of imperial guard and army, these highly trained musketeers were tasked with duties such as safeguarding the Kremlin, participating in wars, and engaging in ceremonial activities. Despite their military role, the Streltsy became increasingly politically influential, involving themselves in state affairs and sparking several uprisings. One such rebellion in the early 18th century led Peter the Great to disband the Streltsy, recognizing their threat to central authority. The correct answer, reflecting their primary role as Kremlin musketeers, underscores their significance in Russian military and political history, culminating in their eventual dissolution under Peter the Great's rule.