Russia: Information on the existence of a Cossack military or para-military force on the Kuban River, in Novorossisjk or elsewhere in Russia and the treatment of individuals who refuse to join such a force
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS13227 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Information on the existence of a Cossack military or para-military force on the Kuban River, in Novorossisjk or elsewhere in Russia and the treatment of individuals who refuse to join such a force, 1 February 1993, RUS13227, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acff70.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Cossacks of Russia are variously described as "descendants of Tatar bands and escaped serfs who established several independent communities in southern Russia" (The New York Times 25 July 1992) and descendants of "legendary warriors of Russia's imperial past" (Reuters 9 March 1992). Reports indicate that in recent years Cossack para-miliary units or "Cossack armies" have been revived in regions of southern Russia, including the Don and Kuban river areas (BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1992; RFE/RL News Briefs 10-23 Dec. 1992; UPI 29 Jan. 1993).
According to TASS, "Cossack forces and associations on the Don, the Kuban and in other places [have] set up camps for military training" (25 Nov. 1992). Various Cossack armies, including the Kuban army, have reportedly been sending troops to regions of internal conflict such as Moldova and Georgia (Current Digest 11 Nov. 1992; The Independent 20 Oct. 1992.; Russian Press Digest 17 Sept. 1992). The Union of Cossack Forces of Russia, formed in 1990, reportedly represents 12 Cossack armies including the Kuban and the Don armies (BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1992; TASS 25 Nov. 1992). According to a TASS report, the Union of Cossacks "has the purpose of the revival of the Cossacks community..." (25 Nov. 1992). The attached articles, however, indicate that the Cossack armies are also interested in resuming their historical role in defending Russian borders and national interests, including ethnic Russian minorities in Russia and the former Soviet Republics (BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1992; The Independent 20 Oct. 1992; Russian Press Digest 17 Sept. 1992). At a Council of Atamans (chieftains) in January 1993, representatives of twelve Cossack "hosts," as well as representatives of communities from Siberia to the Caspian Sea, reportedly demanded "greater powers for Cossacks to fight crime and defend ethnic Russians" (UPI 29 Jan. 1993).
Recent reports indicate that Russia is considering proposals raised by Cossack representatives to incorporate units of Cossacks into the Russian armed forces (RFE/RL News Briefs 18-22 Jan. 1993; Ibid. 10-23 Dec. 1992; UPI 29 Jan. 1993; BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1992)
For additional details on the current activities of Cossacks in Russia, please consult the attached articles. Articles from Russian Press Digest of 17 September 1992, BBC of 26 October 1992, Current Digest of 11 November 1992 and TASS of 20 May 1992 provide some information specific to Cossacks in the Kuban/Krasnodar region. The other articles discuss Cossacks in more general terms.
Reports specific to the treatment of individuals who refuse to join Cossack armies are not currently available to the DIRB.
Additional information specific to this topic is not currently available to the DIRB; however, historical information on the Cossacks is available on request.
References
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 December 1992. "Cossacks Wish to Be Directly Subordinate to the President." (NEXIS)
Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press. 11 November 1992. "Caucasus Fighting: Russia vs. Georgia; Kuban Cossack Chaplain...." (NEXIS)
The Independent. 20 October 1992. Tony Barber. "Cossacks Champion Xenophobia." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 25 July 1992. Serge Schmemann. "Starocherkasskaya Journal; Cossacks Revive. But Can They Recapture Glory?" (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 18-22 January 1993. RFE/RL News Briefs.
. 10-23 December 1992. RFE/RL News Briefs.
Reuters. 9 March 1992. "Cossacks March Out of History into Moldova Conflict." (NEXIS)
Russian Press Digest [Moscow]. 17 September 1992. Igor Rotar. "Krasnodar Territory Armed and Dangerous." (NEXIS)
TASS. 25 November 1992. "Russian Cossacks for Preserving Traditions." (NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 29 January 1993. BC Cycle. Guy Chazan. "Cossacks Set to Resume Role in Russian Armed Forces." (NEXIS)
Attachments
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 December 1992. "Cossacks Wish to Be Directly Subordinate to the President." (NEXIS) . 26 October 1992. "Vladimir Gromov Becomes Ataman of All-Kuban Cossack Host." (NEXIS)
Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press. 11 November 1992. "Caucasus Fighting: Russia vs. Georgia; Kuban Cossack Chaplain...." (NEXIS)
The Independent. 20 October 1992. Tony Barber. "Cossacks Champion Xenophobia." (NEXIS)
Moscow News. 15 January 1992. Alexander Andrusenko. "Unquiet Flows the Don." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 25 July 1992. Serge Schmemann. "Starocherkasskaya Journal; Cossacks Revive. But Can They Recapture Glory?" (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 18-22 January 1993. RFE/RL News Briefs, p. 6.
. 10-23 December 1992. RFE/RL News Briefs, p. 2.
Reuters. 9 March 1992. "Cossacks March Out of History into Moldova Conflict." (NEXIS)
Russian Press Digest [Moscow]. 17 September 1992. Igor Rotar. "Krasnodar Territory Armed and Dangerous." (NEXIS)
TASS. 25 November 1992. "Russian Cossacks for Preserving Traditions." (NEXIS)
. 20 May 1992. Vladimir Gondusov. "Kuban Cossacks Decide to Send Reinforcements to Dniester."
United Press International (UPI). 29 January 1993. BC Cycle. Guy Chazan. "Cossacks Set to Resume Role in Russian Armed Forces." (NEXIS)
