Pro-Government Militias
Cossacks (Russia)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 116 |
| Country: | Russia |
| Date formed: | Jan. 1, 1991 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The Cossacks were originally armed horsemen protecting the Czars. They have a long tradition of being in state service. The Bolsheviks almost obliterated them. From the 1990s on, the Cossacks were seeking to gain a more important political role again. In 1991 a first agreement to protect borders was made with local authorities and more such agreements and increased use of Cossacks followed. They emerged from within society, especially from the Cossack ethnic group. |
| Date dissolved: | Unknown |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | day |
| Details of Termination: | |
| Termination Type(s): | none |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | yes |
| Former Armed Group? | yes |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: | no | Main Creating Government Institution: | none |
| Government Link(s): | state (institution) |
| If link to party, name of party: | |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | yes |
| Shared Personnel: | no |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | ideology |
| Primary Membership: | ethnic |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | primarily southern Russia; Khabarovsk, Ussuriisk, near St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Transbaikal Border District, Krasnodar Territory, Moscow, North Caucasus, Kuba, Rostov |
| Force Strength: | [1300, 400000] |
| Target(s): | criminals; immigrants |
| Purpose(s): | protect state, national or religious institutions; protect state, national or religious leader(s); protect national borders and integrity; anti crime |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Membership: | Cossack (Russia) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | given |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: | The name of the PGM, Cossacks, is ambiguous, as a lot of people in Russia refer to themselves as Cossacks but are not engaged in the PGM |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | The Cossacks’ main purpose is to protect the borders and to help patrol the region to detect non-ethnic Russians. They are actively pursuing their purpose. Cossacks fulfill the same tasks as regular forces, but are regarded as an extra protective layer in the light of the country’s increasing doubts about its security and integrity. They are also used for short-time mobilization during events or holiday periods and to take measures beyond the legal means of regular police. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | faster mobilization; cheaper mobilization |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | The Cossacks regularly commit violence against civilians, especially against non-Russians. This violence includes rapes, destruction of property and beatings. Their actions are tolerated and sometimes encouraged by the regular forces and the government. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | beating; sexual violence |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no |
| PGM Members Paid? | yes |
| Reasons for Membership: | Cossacks have a long history of supporting the state in security tasks and are known for their bravery and fighting abilities. It is therefore likely that people identifying themselves as Cossacks deem it self-evident to participate in the Cossacks units to continue their ethnic heritage. In some occasions, Cossacks are paid for their tasks. |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: | In 2012 a plan was set up to build a 400,000-strong Cossack unit by the end of that year. In July 2013, 1,300 Cossacks were reported to support law enforcement in the Krasnodar territory alone, with the total national number likely being much higher. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | Cossacks are armed with hunting rifles, cold arms (swords) and carbines. They received carbines from the District departments in 1999. On 5th September 2001, the Prime Minister approved a resolution that cold arms should be part of the Cossack uniform. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | Cossacks are used on a local level in cooperation with regional authorities. They have strong ties to the police. Their cooperation with the government was legalized in the Law on Cossacks. A new law (2006) by Putin gives the Cossacks broad rights and funding. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.