Hundreds of Cossack soldiers have been deployed to Sochi, Russia, to provide security ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The soldier on the right is a Cossack, distinguished by his tall hat. Russia has had a rocky relationship with the Cossacks. Click through the gallery to learn more.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Hundreds of Cossack soldiers have been deployed to Sochi, Russia, to provide security ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The soldier on the right is a Cossack, distinguished by his tall hat. Russia has had a rocky relationship with the Cossacks. Click through the gallery to learn more.
ALEXANDER DEMIANCHUK/REUTERS/LANDOV
Known for rebelling against Russia's feudal system, the Cossacks allied with Russia's tsars to help create the monolithic Russian Empire. This 19th century painting depicts a Zaporozhian Cossack from modern-day Ukraine.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Known for rebelling against Russia's feudal system, the Cossacks allied with Russia's tsars to help create the monolithic Russian Empire. This 19th century painting depicts a Zaporozhian Cossack from modern-day Ukraine.
Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images
The Cossacks allied with Russia's last emperor, Tsar Nicholas II, to fight against the Bolsheviks and their 1917 Communist revolution. Here, Tsar Nicolas is wearing a Cossack uniform and inspecting Cossack soldiers.
Who are the Cossacks? —
The Cossacks allied with Russia's last emperor, Tsar Nicholas II, to fight against the Bolsheviks and their 1917 Communist revolution. Here, Tsar Nicolas is wearing a Cossack uniform and inspecting Cossack soldiers.
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Vladimir Lenin led the revolution that paved the way for Communist rule in Russia until the late 20th century. Here, Lenin speaks in 1919 in Moscow's Red Square to dedicate a monument to Stepan Razin, a 17th century Cossack who revolted against the Russian monarchy.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Vladimir Lenin led the revolution that paved the way for Communist rule in Russia until the late 20th century. Here, Lenin speaks in 1919 in Moscow's Red Square to dedicate a monument to Stepan Razin, a 17th century Cossack who revolted against the Russian monarchy.
Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images
When World War II broke out, Cossack soldiers fought on both sides. This 1943 photo shows a 64-year-old Russian Cossack decorated for gallantry and leadership with the order of the red banner
Who are the Cossacks? —
When World War II broke out, Cossack soldiers fought on both sides. This 1943 photo shows a 64-year-old Russian Cossack decorated for gallantry and leadership with the order of the red banner
Popperfoto/Getty Images
The commander of a Cossacks unit on Russia's southwestern front watches the progress of his troops during World War II in August 1942.
Who are the Cossacks? —
The commander of a Cossacks unit on Russia's southwestern front watches the progress of his troops during World War II in August 1942.
Popperfoto/Getty Images
Soviet Red Army Cossacks enjoy a little downtime by giving a traditional dance performance in February 1938.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Soviet Red Army Cossacks enjoy a little downtime by giving a traditional dance performance in February 1938.
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After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia's Defense Ministry announced plans to deploy small units of Cossacks as part of the Russian Army. In August 1992, representatives for 12 Cossack forces convened in Moscow to discuss their revival at the All-Russian Congress of Cossacks.
Who are the Cossacks? —
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia's Defense Ministry announced plans to deploy small units of Cossacks as part of the Russian Army. In August 1992, representatives for 12 Cossack forces convened in Moscow to discuss their revival at the All-Russian Congress of Cossacks.
MICHAEL EVSTAFIEV/AFP/Getty Images
A Cossack settler stands in Pagran-Petrovka in Russia's Far East near the border with China in January 2001. Russia deployed a chain of Cossack border guards to prevent Chinese citizens from crossing the border illegally.
Who are the Cossacks? —
A Cossack settler stands in Pagran-Petrovka in Russia's Far East near the border with China in January 2001. Russia deployed a chain of Cossack border guards to prevent Chinese citizens from crossing the border illegally.
Scott Peterson/Liaison/Getty Images
Young Russian Cossacks juggle swords in the town of Krasny Oktyabr, on the outskirts of the southern Russian city of Volgograd, in January 2014. Even before Russia was declared the host of the Winter Olympic Games, Cossacks were deployed to southern Russia to help maintain law.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Young Russian Cossacks juggle swords in the town of Krasny Oktyabr, on the outskirts of the southern Russian city of Volgograd, in January 2014. Even before Russia was declared the host of the Winter Olympic Games, Cossacks were deployed to southern Russia to help maintain law.
VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS/LANDOV
Cossacks also participate in ceremonial events, including this presidential regiment ride in the Kremlin following the changing of the guard ceremony in the Sobornaya (Cathedral) Square. The tsarist-style ceremony was restored by the Kremlin in 2007 to attract tourists.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Cossacks also participate in ceremonial events, including this presidential regiment ride in the Kremlin following the changing of the guard ceremony in the Sobornaya (Cathedral) Square. The tsarist-style ceremony was restored by the Kremlin in 2007 to attract tourists.
ANDREY SMIRNOV/AFP/Getty Images
Then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hands over a flag to one of the modern Cossacks organizations in Georgiyevsky (St. George) Hall of the Big Kremlin Palace in Moscow,in December 2011.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hands over a flag to one of the modern Cossacks organizations in Georgiyevsky (St. George) Hall of the Big Kremlin Palace in Moscow,in December 2011.
MAXIM SHIPENKOV/AFP/Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a Cossack cadet academy in Rostov-on-Don in February 2008. Analysts have expressed concern that Moscow's new cozy relationship with the Cossacks could backfire, as some Cossacks have demanded more power and land rights.
Who are the Cossacks? —
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a Cossack cadet academy in Rostov-on-Don in February 2008. Analysts have expressed concern that Moscow's new cozy relationship with the Cossacks could backfire, as some Cossacks have demanded more power and land rights.
DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty Images