"Northern Caucasus" issues

In the Krasnodar region were held celebrations on the occasion of the Kuban Cossacks’ Day. On October 15 was marked the 19th anniversary since the revival of the Kuban Cossack army. The Cossacks began with morning prayers and laid flowers to the monument of the fallen. The most deserving received awards from the Kuban Cossack army. The main festivities devoted to this date were held in the Central Concert Hall of Krasnodar. In the same Hall were exhibited Cossack regalia, delivered from the U.S. on October 12. The celebrations were concluded with a concert of the Kuban Cossack Choir. In all 44 municipalities of the Krasnodar region were created Cossack brigades. Fifteen hundred Cossacks are serving for the protection of public order in all parts of Kuban. Two hundred Cossacks are involved in nature-conservative activities. The number of foresters and gamekeepers has significantly reduced recently, and the Cossacks have undertaken protection of forests from fires and illegal felling. More than 200 Cossacks, having undergone special training, equipped with implements and other equipment, are eliminating the consequences of emergencies in those areas of the region, which are prone to natural disasters. The Cossacks also serve on the border of Kuban. It is important that public service in all the mentioned directions is based on formal agreements between the Kuban Cossack army and a corresponding organization. Over the past year the number of Cossack cadet corps has increased from one to five. It is planned to open two more. Further plans also include opening of Cossack colleges, in which graduates would be able to continue training the civilian professions.