THE COSSACK CHARACTER IN THE UKRAINIAN ARMY OF THE XIX - XXI CENTURIES

Abstract

This article is devoted to the issue of historical memory and its influence on the future of the Ukrainian people, in particular, the perception and use of the Cossack image among the Ukrainian military from the XIX century to the present day is analyzed. Thus, the use of the Cossack ideal in the Ukrainian armed formations in the Napoleonic Wars, during the liberation struggles of the early twentieth century, World War II and in the modern armed forces of Ukraine is highlighted. The introduction of Zaporozhian symbols, military ranks and names of prominent Cossack figures into the Ukrainian army during these centuries has been studied. The use of traditional crimson colour, images of Cossack regalia and weapons –maces, sabres, etc. was widespread. Images of Cossack coats of arms were used for awards and honours. For centuries, Ukrainian troops have borrowed the traditional Cossack military organization - the Kosh troop division into such military units as kurins, regiments, sotnias. Such military ranks as atamans, kurin atamans, sotnya atamans, platoon commanders, standard-bearers and so on were widely used. Among the commanders, after whom the regiments were named, the most popular were B. Khmelnytsky, P. Doroshenko, I. Mazepa, I. Bohun and others. Leaders and soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army took as pseudonyms the names of Zaporozhian leaders or simply related concepts - Zaporozhian, Sich, mace, etc. It is determined that the memory of the Cossacks, its certain idealization is equally characteristic of all Ukrainian lands, not only those that were the part of the Cossack state - the Hetmanate. For the western Ukrainian lands, the Cossacks were a symbol of a successful struggle against Polish enslavement. The importance of the heroics of the Cossack myth for the Ukrainian people and, in particular, their armed struggle for the independence of their own state is revealed. The image of the Cossack defender inspired and continues to inspire fighters for the Ukrainian independence. Unfortunately, this is sometimes used by third parties to manipulate Ukrainians.