COSSACK MILITARY FORMATIONS WITHIN THE ARMY OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC (1920)

Andrii Rukkas,

Ph.D. (History), Associate Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2026.34.8

 

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively reconstruct the process of formation, organization, and combat employment of Cossack military units within the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) in 1920, as well as to determine the nature of their interaction with the Ukrainian military command and the reasons that hindered their full integration into the Ukrainian armed forces. Special attention is paid to the role of the Cossack factor in the context of Ukrainian–Cossack political and military relations.

The methodological framework is based on the principle of historicism, which involves analyzing events within their specific historical context, as well as the use of problem-chronological, comparative, and source-critical methods. The research relies on the analysis of archival materials, particularly from the Central State Archives of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government of Ukraine, Polish archival collections, as well as published sources and memoirs of participants. A critical comparison of diverse sources made it possible to reconstruct an objective picture of the events and avoid one-sided interpretations.

The scientific novelty lies in the first comprehensive analysis of the activities of Cossack military formations within the UPR Army in 1920. The study уточнює (clarifies) the circumstances of the transition of Don and Kuban Cossacks to the side of the allies, reveals the specifics of the formation of the Consolidated Cossack Division, and examines the activities of Esaul V. Yakovlev’s brigade. It also identifies internal contradictions within the Cossack environment, the influence of White Guard structures, and the limited resources of the UPR as key factors shaping the effectiveness of cooperation.

Conclusions. Cossack formations played an important but contradictory role in the military campaigns of the UPR Army in 1920. They became an indicator of complex political and military relations between the Ukrainian government and Cossack regions. Despite a shared anti-Bolshevik interest, differences in strategic priorities, internal conflicts, and external influence from White Guard forces limited the possibilities of their integration. The insufficient material and technical base of the UPR Army also negatively affected the maintenance and effective use of Cossack units. Ultimately, the Cossack factor did not become decisive in strengthening the Ukrainian army, although it had significant potential.

Keywords: UPR Army, Cossack formations, M. Yakovlev’s Combined Cossack Division, Ukrainian-Cossack relations, 1920 campaign.

Submitted 11.12.2025

Download

References:

  1. Volkov, S.V. (2003). Beloye dvizheniye. Entsiklopediya Grazhdanskoy voyny. Neva; Olma-Press. [In Russian].
  2. Dubinskiy, I.V., & Shevchuk, G.M. (1977). Chervonnoye kazachestvo. Politizdat Ukrainy. [In Russian].
  3. Diachenko, P. (2010). Chorni zaporozhtsi. Spomyny komandyra 1-ho kinnoho polku Chornykh zaporozhtsiv Armii Ukrainskoi Narodnoi Respubliky. Stiks. [In Ukrainian].
  4. Matviienko, V. (2002). Ukrainska dyplomatiia 1917–1921 rokiv: Na terenakh postimperskoi Rosii. Kyivskyi universytet. [In Ukrainian].
  5. Pylypets, V. (n.d.). Spohady khorunzhoho V. Pylyptsia (Author’s private archive). [In Ukrainian].
  6. Udovychenko, O. (1982). Tretia Zalizna dyviziia: Materialy do istorii Viiska Ukrainskoi Narodnoi Respubliky. Rik 1920 (Vol. 2, I. Tolochnyi, Comp.; L. Romaniuk, Ed.). Chervona Kalyna. [In Ukrainian].
  7. Hunchak, T. (Ed.). (1984). Ukrainska revoliutsiia. Dokumenty. 1919–1921: Dzherela do novitnoi istorii Ukrainy (Vol. 2). Ukrainska vilna akademiia nauk. [In Ukrainian].
  8. Salskyi, V., & Shandruk, P. (Eds.). (1933). Ukrainsko-moskovska viina 1920 roku v dokumentakh (Pt. 1). Ukrainskyi naukovyi instytut. [In Ukrainian].
  9. Tsentralnyi derzhavnyi arkhiv vyshchykh orhaniv vlady ta upravlinnia Ukrainy (TsDAVO). Fond 1075, opys 4, sprava 25. [In Ukrainian].
  10. TsDAVO, fond 1078, opys 2, sprava 110. [In Ukrainian].
  11. TsDAVO, fond 1429, opys 2, sprava 389. [In Ukrainian].
  12. TsDAVO, fond 3170, opys 1, sprava 15. [In Ukrainian].
  13. TsDAVO, fond 3172, opys 1, sprava 32. [In Ukrainian].
  14. TsDAVO, fond 3172, opys 1, sprava 50. [In Ukrainian].
  15. TsDAVO, fond 3172, opys 1, sprava 60. [In Ukrainian].
  16. TsDAVO, fond 3172, opys 1, sprava 62. [In Ukrainian].
  17. Biblioteka Narodowa. Archiwum Towarzystwa Naukowego im. Tarasa Szewczenki. Microfilm No. 92132. [In Polish].
  18. Bruski, J.J. (2004). Petlurowcy. Centrum Państwowe Ukraińskiej Republiki Ludowej na wychodźstwie (1919–1924). Arcana. [In Polish].
  19. Centralne Archiwum Wojskowe. Sygn. arch. I.303.4.5358. [In Polish].
  20. Karpus, Z. (1999). Wschodni sojusznicy Polski w wojnie 1920 roku. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika. [In Polish].
  21. Krzeczunowicz, K. (2021). Ostatnia kampania konna. Wydawnictwo LTW. [In Polish].
  22. Jabłonowski, M., & Koseski, A. (Eds.). (1999). O niepodległą i granice. Komunikaty Oddziału III Naczelnego Dowództwa Wojska Polskiego 1919–1921. ASPRA. [In Polish].
  23. Pisuliński, J. (2004). Nie tylko Petlura. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego. [In Polish].