Representatives of the most independent ethno-social culture in Russia, proudly called Cossacks, have a long and glorious history. For hundreds of years, their special culture, way of life, concepts and rules have evolved. Back in the 19th century, the Cossack communities were divided into two groups: those who did not tolerate power over themselves and lived according to their own laws, and those who preferred the official state service, received a salary and acted in accordance with a special charter. The latter are usually called registry.
History
In Russia, the Cossack communities were classified as independent military settlements, which were located on the outskirts of the country, on the adjacent territory with the Commonwe alth and other uninhabited areas. The ethnological composition developed gradually, runaway serfs, criminals or people in search of a better life came to free communities.
Even in the 17th century, the government demanded fidelity and military service from the Cossacks, which led to major uprisings, sometimes threatening even the imperial power (Pugachev's rebellion). Subsequently, this estate received special civil rights, leaving them the opportunity to have their own lands andto establish their own culture there, but at the same time being in the public service and obeying the head of state.
Not everyone agreed with this way of life, some unions did not want to be in someone's submission, developing their own standards of life and behavior. And today there are still big disagreements between public and registered Cossacks, the Government's initiative to revive this movement in Russia has given rise to many disputes in two opposing camps.
Modern history
The Soviet government took very strict measures against the Cossacks, after the Civil War, representatives of this ethnic group were subjected to repression, exile, humiliation of property rights and nationality. The revival of the people begins with the decrees of the President of the Russian Federation in 1992 on the rehabilitation of the repressed peoples.
Two years later, the Government establishes the concept of a new state policy aimed at strengthening the country's security, including through the revival of the Cossacks. Agitation was carried out among the population, the official service promised a number of privileges and a special status.
Finally, the registered Cossacks of Russia received a regulatory framework for their activities in 1998, when a list of associations included in this category was formed. This list is often criticized by the public, so many emphasize that most of those who chose to work for the Kremlin have nothing to do with the Cossacks, since even under B. Yeltsin, the estateeveryone was allowed to join.
Legislative basis
Only those people who belong to one of the communities registered in the register have the right to public service. All activities of the Cossacks have a strict legal framework, the key document is the Federal Law of the Russian Federation dated 05.12.2005 “On the public service of the Russian Cossacks”. Here is the definition of special communities, the procedure for their organization and official registration.
In order to receive state recognition and the corresponding status, registered Cossacks or their associations must submit the following documents to the executive authorities:
- community charter adopted at the people's meeting, certified by the local administration;
- list of villages, farms or cities that are part of the created organization;
- consent of all members of the general meeting;
- list of registered Cossacks capable and ready to carry out public service.
To date, eleven military societies have been registered, most of them were formed back in the period from 1996 to 1998. In addition, there are four Cossack districts - Northwestern with headquarters in St. Petersburg, B altic (Kaliningrad), Sevastopol and Crimean.
Types of public service
Many are still skeptical about the state's attempt to tame the Cossack unions, to regulate their social and propaganda activities. Independent representatives of the estate considerthis is just a way of instilling patriotic views in the country, the desire to subordinate a rather serious military association to the supreme power.
But there are also positive aspects of public service, which are confirmed even by public unions. This is official employment, financial support, benefits, special treatment. The government decree of February 26, 2010 establishes the following types of civil service where registered Cossacks can work:
- organization of military-patriotic education of conscripts, keeping records of community members;
- implementation of law enforcement activities, if necessary, participation in emergency response;
- protecting Russia's borders, maintaining law and order, preventing and combating the terrorist threat;
- protection of forests and wildlife, environmental issues;
- ensuring the preservation of objects of national importance of historical and cultural value.
Military service
There is still no clear certainty as to what duties the registered Cossacks of the Russian Federation should bear. First of all, questions arise with the performance of military service, for example, in the interim decree of the Government, a clause was specifically stipulated that representatives of this estate could not organize armed formations. At the same time, the main governing law of 2005 specifies that:
- The Cossacks contribute to the spiritual and patriotic education of conscripts, conduct trainingreserve soldier.
- Cossacks can be involved in the elimination of emergencies, natural disasters and to participate in civil defense.
- Enforce public order.
Since 2011, registered Cossacks for military service were sent to special military units, where the order adopted in their estate was maintained. But this initiative did not justify itself, such regiments never became Cossack, and in 2014 such a special call was canceled.
In recent years, the practice of using Cossack troops to carry out security functions has appeared, special police units, private security companies are being created, which, like the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, keep order and detain persons who violate the law.
Modern device
The emergence of legal regulation of the civil service was received with enthusiasm by the Cossacks. For many years they did not have the opportunity to repay their homeland, and now across the country, representatives of the class were involved in the work of maintaining law and order, investigating crimes and combating terrorism. Photos of registered Cossacks demonstrate their activity in the public life of the country: they were participants in military parades, patriotic marches or charity events.
There is a clear division of types of associations, established already in the first provision on the creation of the registry, a special hierarchy.
- Regulatory body - Council under the President of the Russian Federation.
- Military Cossack communities.
- District and individual.
- District and yurt (introduced in 2005d.).
- Country, farm, urban.
In addition to officially registered bodies, there are several unions operating on the territory of Russia, which include registered Cossacks. At general gatherings, the issue of electing new atamans, rewarding and encouraging those who have proven themselves, and important public issues are discussed.
Insignia
According to the federal law, only Cossacks in the public service can have ranks, special ranks and shoulder straps. The procedure for wearing insignia and uniforms is established by decree No. 169 of February 10, 2010 and No. 171 of December 10, 2010. Moreover, up to the rank of Yesaul, the ranks are assigned by the ataman of the community or troops, and already higher - by the plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Russian Federation or the head of state himself.
The government decrees do not clearly define the insignia, so each region sets its own rules regarding the form and type of shoulder straps. There is the following list of ranks:
- Lower: Cossack, officer, junior sergeant, sergeant, senior sergeant, junior sergeant, sergeant, senior sergeant.
- Senior and higher: cadet, cornet, centurion, podesaul, esaul, military foreman, Cossack colonel, Cossack general.
Members of public organizations do not have the right to wear any insignia, among them there is a different distribution of power, according to the old traditions of the people.
Appearance
The Cossacks are trying to preserve the customs of their ancestors, especially in clothing, although with their inclusion in civil servants, the uniform itself has changed in many ways, an establishedwearing order. Each community has a special identity in the appearance of its members.
In 2010, decrees were issued on what the form of registered Cossacks should be. There are the following categories:
- for every day;
- camping;
- grand day off;
- front drill;
- special front door.
All these decrees partially duplicate the legislative base of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Armed Forces, although the Cossack troops do not have the same rights as these structures. Their activity is mostly about helping law enforcement officers.
Admission conditions
In connection with the large-scale rise in the patriotic spirit of the Russian population, the question of how to become a registered Cossack is increasingly arising. The selection to the ranks of this special estate is very demanding, the candidate must live for several years in this region and positively recommend himself.
The applicant is assigned a probationary period, during which he participates in meetings without the right to vote, studies the charters. The final question on the inclusion of a candidate in the list of registered Cossacks is decided by a majority of votes, and he is issued a special certificate. True, its form is not clearly specified, so in the regions you can find different samples of this document.
Cossacks and Orthodoxy
Christian norms and ideas today are at the head of all the principles of the Russian Cossacks, even in the years of repression, exile and emigration, the people tried to preserve the foundations of theirfaith. Therefore, the revival in the nineties of this estate was closely connected with the Church and its influence.
The Orthodox faith is the foundation for all representatives of this ethnic group, despite the disagreements between public and registered Cossacks, rituals and holidays are observed by them very strictly. One of the most important goals of the educational activities of the communities is precisely the resurrection of Christian traditions among young people, the upbringing of steadfast moral principles.
Problems
The settlement of the issue of the development of the Cossacks in the Russian Federation is directly under the leadership of the President, but still there are still many unresolved issues. This concerns disagreements in the ideology of public and state organizations, the former are happy for the preservation of democratic charters within associations, others insist on mandatory service to the country.
Those who closely know the customs of this people are often interested in the question of whether a registered Cossack should receive a salary. What is service - duty or work? Usually financial rewards are given to them for patrolling the streets, participating in rescue or military operations, and the amount of payments, for example, in the Kuban region for combatants is 21-25 thousand rubles. Recently, it was allowed to create Cossack private security companies to protect private and municipal institutions.
Opponents of the registry system point to federal contributions as a way to control and guarantee the execution of orders from above, notingdevelopment of corruption among the heads of military units. The elders look with dissatisfaction at the fact that the Cossacks are used for political purposes. All these contradictions have yet to be resolved or ironed out so that a worthy people does not lose their roots and traditions.
