Richard Arnold

1 month ago | jamestown.org | Richard Arnold

Executive Summary:Russia is ramping up its military efforts—despite discussions of a ceasefire—with speculation about a second wave of mobilization. New Cossack battalions and expanded funding suggest a growing paramilitary force, indirectly increasing Russia’s mobilization potential. Several recent developments indicate that Moscow is preparing for a prolonged conflict.

2 months ago | jamestown.org | Richard Arnold

Executive Summary:Russia is planning extensive events for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII), using historical memory as a tool to legitimize its Ukraine invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared 2025 the “Year of the Defender of the Fatherland,” and propaganda lessons, military-themed competitions, and Cossack institutionalization aim to instill a narrative of Russian resilience.

2 months ago | jamestown.org | Richard Arnold

Executive Summary:The Kremlin is increasingly using the Cossack identity to justify its war in Ukraine, portraying them as liberators of Russian land. The Cossack’s use of Orthodox symbolism and historical narratives reinforce their role in neo-imperial mythmaking.

Dec 10, 2024 | tandfonline.com | Richard Arnold

AbstractHow do cultural legacies expand our understanding of the causes and longevity of the war? Is this Putin’s or Russia’s war? While Russia and Ukraine share many cultural traditions, this article takes just one—the Cossack legacy—and uses it to gauge popular support for the war. Whereas in Russia one branch of the Cossack revival movement has become institutionalised as a paramilitary movement, in Ukraine its legacy has become foundational to a civic conception of nationhood.

Nov 27, 2024 | jamestown.org | Richard Arnold

Executive Summary:The Kremlin announced that it will more than double the budget for the All-Russian Cossack Society in 2025 at the beginning of November, indicating plans to expand their roles in Russian society, including activities in occupied Ukrainian territories. Cossacks are being integrated into the Russian Armed Forces’ reserve and tasked with defense and administrative roles in occupied territories of Ukraine, emphasizing their importance in Russia’s military and territorial strategies.