The Cossack organization is formed in the closed military town of Aleksandrovsk and is the first of its kind in the region. The new organization is included in the official register of Cossack communities in Russia, Murman.ru reports.
The organization is reported to have 271 registered members.
Although traditionally known first of all from the southern and eastern parts Russia, the Cossacks have in post-Soviet Russia strengthened their position also in Northwest Russia, including Murmansk Oblast.
As previously reported, the first 15 people from Murmansk Oblast took their Cossack oath in 2009 and the first Cossack leader (ataman) for the border municipality of Pechenga was appointed that same year.
Among the assignments of the regional Cossack movement will be to guard the border to Norway and Finland, as well as to engage in fire fighting, street patrolling, and give military-patriotic teaching of children and young people, local Cossack representatives said.
