Based on my knowledge, Cossack is from Russia right? So tell me that it's a "People" Army or a Mercenary Army?
Drew DEI
Actually and historically Cossacks are from Ukraine - they basically founded Ukrainan statehood in Middle Ages. But later some of them (Don's cossacks) appeared to be on the territory of Russia. Modern russian "cossacks" are mostly role-players poisoned by imperial russian "rising-from-the-knees" propaganda
deathtokoalas
insofar as cossack is an ethnic tern, and it mostly isn't, it refers to a turkish people we now call "kazakhs". they were a type of pirate through the middle ages that survived primarily by raiding and plundering, but that was aligned with the russians as a mercenary force over time. this had a "civilizing effect" on them, and they assimilated into the countryside.
it follows that what you call "cossack" today has virtually nothing to do with what was called "cossack" centuries ago. i'm still trying to make sense of the way the media is using this, but it seems to me something people are self-identifying as and what makes the most sense to me is consequently that the term must translate more or less to "mercenary" - it must be a military rather than an ethnic term.
Thor Jørgensen
There are no real Cossacks left anymore, just like how there are no real knights, hussars or vikings.
But any real Cossacks would have been in Ukraine 14th to mid 18th century including Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Cossack Hetmanate.
Drew DEI
Yeah, and regarding the initial question - In "people" "army" by my information there are like 80% of mercenaries, and only about 20% - local people. and there are no some monolith structure actually but some groups and gangs consisting of local criminals, but as I see, some normal people also support this. it is sad.
Vladimir Semiglazov
what information???? the one you just made up???
Илья Аленин
there are Ukranian (Zaporozhye) and Russian (Don, Cuban etc) cossacks: ZaporozhyeCossacks fighted against Poland and united with Russia, russian cossacks were peasants which flinged off landlords
deathtokoalas
the ukrainians initially had to bring in mercenaries because the soldiers didn't want to shoot at their own people. we're talking about cossacks and varangians, here. similar mindset. oldest tactic in the book. however, they seem to have been replaced at least partially by ukrainian nationalists from the maidan protests, who seem to be less discerning. unfortunately.
whether cossack means mercenary or not, it's clear there are russian agents operating. so, it's not one or the other. it's both.
Drew DEI
what mercenaries? our country cannot even buy bulletproof vests for the amry, we are doing it by ourselves. Do you at list imagine what money are necessary to hire professional mercenary army? Official wage of Ukraine military soldier is about $200.
deathtokoalas
i can't answer that, but i'd remind you that ukraine is notorious for shady financing and money laundering. the reports were coming out of germany. i don't think they speculated on financing.
