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The Cossacks (Template:Lang-ru; Template:Lang-ua; also known as Template:Lang-pl, originally derived from Turkic Qazaqlar) are a traditional community of martial people living in the southern steppe regions of Eastern Europe and Asia. They are known for their self-reliance, disciplined way of life and military skills, particularly horsemanship.

The Cossacks traditionally make up a Cossack host. Each Host in addition to its home region was provided with manpower and resources and would be charged with control over its own territory. The hosts also had distinct history and traditions and even military role, such as Coast Guard roles and the plastun (special forces) units.

Although several theories exist on the formation of Cossacks, they became well established in the 13th century, when the Zaporozhian Sich was established in present-day Southern Ukraine. Joined by numerous serfs fleeing from Ukraine and other territories the host swelled into a powerful military force, becoming guardians of ethnic and state boundaries. After being in service of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth the Zaporozhian host went to become a major force in rebellion against Polish domination in Ukraine. In the mid-17th century the Zaporozhin Cossacks succeeded in driving the Poles out of the country and establishing a Cossack Hetmanate based on Cossack military structure.

The role of the Zaporozhian Cossacks began to diminish after the Treaty of Pereyaslavl with the Tsardom of Russia. In the 18th century, the Cossack autonomy in Ukraine became more and more restricted by the Russian autorities. The Cossack Hetmanate in Ukraine was abolished in 1764 and the Zaporozhian Sich was finally destroyed by the Russian army in 1775. Disbanded Cossacks reorganized themselves in several new hosts in the Black Sea region and the Danube, where the Kuban Cossack Host became dominant in the later years.

Parallel to Zaporozhian host in Ukraine Don Cossack Host rose rose to prominence during the 16th century, when the Tsardom of Russia began its growth and expansion. Don Cossacks participated in defending the southern and southeastern frontiers against Crimean and Nogay raids, and expanded by migrating into regions such as Volga, Siberia, Yaik, and Terek. By the 17th century they were an established ally of Russia and a valid defender of her southern frontiers.

By the 19th century, the Cossacks actively participated in the eight decade long Caucasus War and acted as border guards on national and internal ethnic borders. They also participated the War of 1812 against Napoleon and entered Paris in 1814. Cossacks also performed internal police duties, and in return enjoyed a far greater autonomy than most people in the Russian Empire, creating a stereotype of them being strong supporters of Tsarism.

During the Russian Civil War Cossack regions became the main centre for the Anti-Bolshevik White movement and an independent Kuban People's Republic was proclaimed. After the Red Army's victory, the Cossacks suffered extensive repressions, their lands subjected to famine, with the term "Cossack" becoming a taboo. During the Second World War Cossack units fought on both sides of the conflict — in the Red Army and in Waffen SS units. After the war the fate of the Nazi collaborators was tragic as most of them were transferred by allies to the USSR to be executed.

After the Collapse of the Soviet Union, Cossack lifestyle once again blossomed in Russia. Modern Russian Cossacks are now an integral part of Russian society, many fought in Post-Soviet Conflicts. At present there are special units in the Russian Military active service and in reserve which are wholly made of Cossacks. In their homelands, Cossacks have parallel civil administration and police. There are also extensive Cossack organizations outside the territories of the Russian Cossack Hosts, mainly the Balkans, Western Europe, in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.