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Free man and outlaw -

The word Cossack comes from a Turkic word, which means "free man" or "outlaw." Originating in the 15th century, the Cossacks were a semi-nomadic militia group. 

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Eastern Ukraine and southern Russia -

Their origin is disputed. Traditionally, it was believed that the Cossacks were mainly East Slavs, originating in the Pontic–Caspian steppe region of eastern Ukraine and southern Russia. 

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Modern scholastic thought -

However, some modern scholars believe the Cossacks had both Slavic and Turkic origins. They inhabited sparsely populated areas in the Dnieper, Don, Terek, and Ural river basins.

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Military duty -

In return for military duty, the rulers of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russian Empire endowed Cossacks with certain special privileges. 

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Defensive force -

The Cossacks played a crucial role as a defensive military force against invaders, which included the Tatars and Ottomans.

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Traditional image -

The traditions of the Cossacks are typically characterized by a blend of romanticism, connection to nature, military excellence, and an impassioned commitment to their freedom and independence.

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Traditional image -

Cossacks are often depicted with a long, thick mustache. Ukrainian Cossacks favored chub, or oseledets, hairstyles, where a long strand of hair is left on a completely shaved head.

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Horses -

Horses were the Cossacks' faithful companions as well as symbols of the nomadic warrior life. They also feature prominently in images of the Cossack fighters.

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Ingrained in Ukrainian mythology -

The Cossacks are deeply ingrained in Ukrainian national mythology. They feature in the works of poet Taras Shevchenko, and their significance in the country's history transcends their military exploits.

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Patrolling Polish borders -

In the early 16th century, Polish kings began to organize the Zaporozhian Cossacks into military colonies. In these colonies, they were used to patrol Polish borders.

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Sixteenth century territorial organizations -

By the 16th century, there were two territorial organizations of Cossacks, who were relatively independent from each other. 

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The Zaporizhzhia -

The first group, the Zaporizhzhia, were based on the bends of the river Dnipro in Ukraine. Their center was at Zaporizhzhia Sich, between Russia, Poland, and the Tatars of the Crimea.

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The Zaporizhzhia -

Historians consider Zaporozhian Cossacks to be the first purely Ukrainian society. As a proto-state nation, it fought for the right to exist, develop, and resist hostile encroachments.

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The Zaporizhzhia -

The enduring mythology of the Zaporizhzhia, dating back to the 15th century, paints them as rogue bandits. However, by the 17th century, they began to represent a Ukrainian secessionist movement against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

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The Don Cossacks -

On the banks of the river Don, separated from the Russian state by rebel Nogai and Tatar tribes, was the Don Cossack State. This is where the second group of Cossacks—the Don Cossacks—originated.

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The Don Cossacks -

Several historical documents refer to the Don Cossacks as a sovereign, ethno-cultural people, with a distinct warrior culture.

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The Don Cossacks -

Under the citizenship of the Moscow State, between 1671-1786 the Don Cossacks began a campaign of conquest and colonization. 

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Conquest and colonization -

They secured lands on the borders of the Volga, the entirety of Siberia, and the Yalik (Ural) and Tarek Rivers.

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Conquest and colonization -

The Don Cossacks were known for their attacks on the Ottoman Empire and its subjects, such as the Tatars. However, they were equally happy to pillage neighboring communities.

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The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth -

The Cossacks staged several uprisings against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the early 17th century. At the time, this removed them from the influence of the Commonwealth while making them subjects of the Tsarist Empire of Russia.

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Empress Catherine II of Russia ("Catherine the Great") -

Under the authority of Tsarist Russia, the Cossacks gradually lost their independence. By the end of the 18th century, semi-autonomous Cossack organizations within the Russian state were abolished by Catherine II.

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Voiskos - administrative divisions -

In the Russian Empire, there were 12 separate Cossack voiskos, i.e. administrative divisions. These voiskos represented territory where Cossack settlements were located, that were required to provide military regiments.

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Population and land -

In 1893, the Cossack population was around 2,648,049 (including 1,331,470 women). They owned nearly 146,500,000 acres of land.

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Military service -

By the 1900s, all Cossack men had to perform military service for 20 years, beginning at the age of 18. It was that soldier's responsibility to procure his own uniform, horse, and equipment.

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Military supply in wartime -

In times of war, the ten Cossack voiskos (administrative divisions) had to supply 890 mounted sotnias or squadrons (of 125 men each), 108 infantry sotnias or companies (also 125 men each), and 236 guns, representing 4267 officers and 177,100 men, with 170,695 horses, to the Empire. They had 328,705 men ready to fight when World War I broke out.

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Education -

Cossack education was at a higher level than in the rest of Imperial Russia, having more schools and a greater proportion of children attending.

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Civil war in Russia -

At the end of the Tsarist regime in Russia, Cossacks found themselves on both sides of the conflict, with some soldiers joining the Red Army and some joining the White Army.

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World War II -

Most Cossacks fought on the side of the Soviet Union during World War II, however, some decided to collaborate with the Germans.

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Cossack heritage -

Cossack heritage is still celebrated, through festivals and reenactments that take place across Ukraine. These enactments usually showcase traditional Cossack clothing, weaponry, and skills.

Sources: (Britannica) (Origins) (Ukraine World) (Kyiv Independent) 

See also: The horrors of the Russian Gulag

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