The everlasting Cossacks glory

October 14, 2010 // Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Public Affairs Service

Annually, on October 14, according to the Presidential Decree №966 from August 7, 1999, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks

  Renowned Cossacks’ age, dating from 15th to 18th centuries, takes a special place in the history of Ukraine. Glory of their military feats, heroism, love of freedom, chivalry and courage is far across the borders of our state.

The main reason for Cossacks’ formation was growing of national consciousness among the Ukrainian people, the desire for freedom and independence against the permanent threat from numerous conquerors reiving, plundering everything on their way, killing the old and the weak, capturing thousands of people.

The first references to Ukrainian Cossacks date back to the fifteenth century (“Cossack” – in translation from Turkish means free, independent person; adventure seeker, and traveller). In search for freedom those soldiers of fortune began pioneering the new lands beyond the Dnieper rapids – the so called lowlands, or Zaporizhia. There Cossacks constructed their fortifications – fortresses and forts.

Cossacks’ numbers initially reached only several hundred, but their strength has been continuously bolstered by the fugitives fleeing oppression from different regions of Ukraine. At first, they didn’t have any military structure, but assembled in groups of several dozen people. Cossacks were armed with bows, spears, axes, sabres, and primitive rifles, and chose hetmans from those having military experience. The bands acted independently, but sometimes united to fight jointly.

In 1568, Polish king Sigismund August made an agreement with Cossack bands’ leaders and called them to military service in defence of the Polish lands from nomads. Later, a registered Cossack army was established – soldiers received salary, had common uniform and arms, and improved their military skills.

In view of the registered army, the rest of the Cossack troops formed the similar units. Cossacks were divided into “winterers” living permanently in the Sich, and regiment Cossacks who returned to base only to participate in campaigns.

In mid-fifteen hundreds, the number of Cossacks reached nearly ten thousand people, who had military and administrative centre - Zaporizhian Sich. Besides, Cossacks started to transform from the paramilitary unit into a separate segment of the Ukrainian nation – they had their own administrative division, laws, traditions and military structure.
  
In early seventeenth century, Cossacks composed a great part of the Ukrainian people. Special Sich and Cossack schools for adolescents were created in churches and which became the centres for military and physical improvement, promoted intellectual and cultural development of youth.

Zaporizhian Cossacks reached the level of the best European armies. Infantry – among Europe’s best - was the most combat-skilled arm which was the pillar of the Cossack troops. The cavalry was less numeral, but had high combat skills. In addition to that, Cossacks were masters of sea warfare, created an efficient reconnaissance system and patrol service.

Cossack troops shocked the enemies with their courage, endurance and fanatical devotion to Ukraine. It was the Sich that gave Ukraine such outstanding and wise military and state leaders as Severyn Nalyvaiko, Petro Sahaidachnyi, Bohdan Hmelnytskiy, Ivan Sirko, Maksym Zalizniak, Semen Paliy, and Petro Kalnyshevskyi.
  

The decline of the Cossack state began in the eighteenth century. After Catherine II had abolished the hetmanship in 1764, Cossack troops lasted only for twenty years more. In early summer 1775, Zaporizhian Sich was destroyed. In 1773, the remaining Cossack regiments were assimilated by the Russian empire’s regular army. The rest of Cossacks either moved to Kuban, or established the Trans-Danubian Sich.

Zaporizhian Cossacks have always considered the Holy Mother their heavenly guard and patroness. For more than 200 years Zaporizhian Sich has been under protection of the Holy Mother who was the symbol of Ukraine’s spirituality and Cossacks’ freedom. Cossacks have fought either at sea, or on the land under the icons of Madonna. They traditionally started and finished every campaign with the prayers to the Holy Mother.

Considering the historic importance and merits of Cossacks in the establishment of the Ukrainian state and considerable contribution to the modern state- building process, the Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks was established in accordance with the Presidential Decree from August 7, 1999. It is celebrated annually on October 14 – on the day of the Intercession of the Holy Mother.
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