Ukrainian War: Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: Donbas

Donbas is an acronym that stands for Donets Coal Basin, which is located in the eastern part of Ukraine. Its coal and iron ore made it an important area for Russia during its Industrial Revolution, as well as a coveted target for the Nazis during WWII.

The region contains large numbers of ethnic Russians, and hostilities between Donbas Russians and Ukrainians have been taking place there since 2014. In 2022, Russia recognized the Donbas as a "People's Republic".

Answer: Finlandization

The term "Finlandization" originated in West Germany in the 1960s, when Finland choose not to challenge the USSR during the Cold War, and allowed them to influence Finland's politics. It can also be applied to the way Denmark responded to German aggression from 1871-1945, and the Swiss government's dealing with the Nazis during WWII; the term is used to show a lack of respect for the type of political decisions a country might make.

In fact, the policy may end up putting Finland in a difficult situation, should they decide to join NATO in the future.

Answer: Hedgehog

Also called Czech hedgehogs, the barriers were used during WWII, but they closely resemble the caltrop, an ancient weapon that was used to slow troop movement and chariot and cavalry advancement. They are made of metal (concrete ones could be too easily damaged), with two bars welded together to form a cross, and a third one added so that they do not easily tip over.

It has been noted that at the beginning of the Ukraine War some WWII hedgehogs were taken from a museum in Kyiv for use against Russian advancement. Ukrainian citizens have been shown making them from available resources; the Ukrainian Railroad has been using new tracks to form the defensive weapon.

Answer: Koloradi

The Order of St. George is the highest military honor in Russia, and its origin dates back to the 1769; although the group ceased to exist for a time during Russia's Communist era, Putin brought it back in 2000. The colors of the Order are black and orange, and people who identify themselves as Pro-Russia in Ukraine sometimes wear the colored ribbons.

The koloradi, also known as the Colorado potato beetle, is a garden pest with orange and black stripes. Found all over the world today, it provides the inspiration for the term.

Some people have said that during the Cold War the U.S. released the beetles to ravage farm crops in the USSR.

Answer: MANPADS

MANPADS, first developed in the 1960s, were originally called Redeyes in the United States; today they are called U.S. Stingers. Developed by many nations, there are several different types, such as France's Mistral. The Ukrainian soldiers are said to be carrying them to their position and using them with success, mostly aiming toward low-flying aircraft, such as helicopters.

Answer: Oligarch

This term's use in Russia dates back to the 1990s with the break up of the USSR. Prior to that there were Russians who had become wealthy trading on the black market; in 1991, when Yeltsin became president, these businessmen became somehow connected in the government, either through friends or relatives, and grew wealthier as time passed.

When Putin became president, he agreed to continue the practice in exchange for loyalty; at that time oligarchs began to wield more political power. One of the negative aspects of the system is that oligarchs tend to store their money in foreign banks, rather than investing in Russia.

In 2013, it was estimated that 110 oligarchs owned 35% of Russia's wealth.

Answer: Orcs

Of course, the orcs were the evils monsters in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" (1954-55) series. This term is not new; Tolkien said that he borrowed it from a line in "Beowulf", where it states "Eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas", which can be interpreted as "ogres, elves, and monsters". Russian soldiers have emulated the orcs' destructive behavior by pillaging and looting Ukrainian villages during their recent invasion of Ukraine.

Answer: Owls

The logo of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, founded in 1994, shows a large owl flying over a map, positioned above a highlighted Russia, skewering the country with a sword. Before the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the leader of the organization, Brigadier General Kyrylo Budanov, warned that Russia was planning to launch an attack; many believed his prediction was incorrect, but his agency has gained much credibility since then.

As far back as 2016 there was talk from Russia that the symbolism of the emblem was disturbing.

Answer: Rump State

The term "rump state" has been used for centuries to describe a part of what was once a bigger empire that decreased in size due to a revolution, annexation, or similar occurrence. For example, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Soissons existed as a rump state for another 25 years before being taken by the Franks. We must wonder today if Putin wishes to turn Ukraine into a rump state.

Answer: Z

The letter "Z" was noticed on Russian tanks and military vehicles at the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; it was considered odd because Z is not a letter in the Cyrillic alphabet that is used in either Russia or Ukraine. While some theorize it was just an easy way to mark vehicles that were heading to Ukraine, the real meaning of the marking has never been revealed.

It does appear, however, to be a symbol of pro-Russian sentiment regarding the invasion of Ukraine and the anticipated victory.

A member of the Russian team competing at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha in March 2022 was reprimanded for wearing a Z on his uniform while standing next to a Ukrainian athlete on the winner's podium.