The Role of the Kuban Cossacks in the Harmonization of Interethnic Relations in the Late Twentieth Century

The object of the study is the Kuban Cossacks of the late 1980s and the 1990s. The article aims to identify the positive experience of the Kuban Cossacks in harmonizing interethnic relations and establishing good neighborly relations with different nations of the North Caucasus region on the basis of an extensive and representative circle of documents from regional and federal archives. The post-perestroika period in the history of Russia is characterized by a growing crisis of interethnic relations in all multi-ethnic regions, a sharp increase in the activity of various national movements and associations. The country is gradually drawn into inter-ethnic confrontations; unrest begins in Chechen-Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Abkhazia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Adygea, and other regions. At this time, the revival of the Cossacks and the active search for their place in the new Russian reality begin. In October 1990, at the Constituent Congress of the Cossacks of the Kuban, a decision was made to create the Kuban Cossack Rada, a social-patriotic organization. At the congress, it was also stated that Cossack organizations consider the strengthening of peace and friendship, the prevention of national hostility and conflicts between the multinational population of the country and the regions as some of the most important tasks of their activities. The study concludes that from the very beginning of their revival, the Kuban Cossacks positioned themselves as active participants in interethnic dialogue, focused on solving interethnic problems, achieving stability, peace and harmony in relations between nations. During the period under review, the Cossacks took an active part in various events and actions aimed at establishing and maintaining good neighborly relations, mutual enrichment of the cultures of various nations living in the Kuban. In addition, the leadership of the Cossack movement acted as a defender of the interests of the Russian-speaking population of the North Caucasus in the face of the growing interethnic tensions, came up with demands for the leadership of the North Caucasian republics to resolve territorial, political, ethnic and other problems peacefully. If necessary, they offered the president of Russia to use the power potential of the Cossacks by creating Cossack military units and formations. Such a policy had a positive role in harmonizing interethnic relations in the multi-ethnic North Caucasus region.

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