SECRETS OF COSSACK'S SHADOWS OVER BALKANS: Strong as the earth we walk on, warriors of Christ, brothers that die for Serbs (PHOTO)

Series "Shadow Over Balkans" opened a number of strong subjects after it's first episode, and one of the most noticeable is - RUSSIAN COSSACKS and their roles in the entire and intriguing story. While the stories and secrets of murdered priest and cossacks elite units from the beginning of the 20 century in Belgrade will be revealed in the next episodes of Bjelogrlic masterpiece, many don't know anything about Cossacks and their participation in orthodox actions on Balkans today. How strong they really are, how to join Balkan Cossacks team, are they really ready to go to war for Serbia in Kosovo? 

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Foto: Promo RTS

Cossacks general Viktor Vladimirovic Zaplatin (59), supreme ataman of newly formed Balkan Cossacks army and Cossacks Colonel Vojislav Vidakovic (59), head ataman for Serbia, Republika Srpska and Montenegro, discovered for Telegraf all the details about this army, which was recently formed in Kotor. 

The Telegraf interviews said the criteria are very strict and not everybody can become a Cossack. Some of the conditions are that Cossack must be Orthodox, to accept the spiritual values of Slavic people, no criminal history, and no convictions, and he has to pass certain check before they can join the army. The check is performed in "spiritual centers", monasteries and it lasts for some time. When the army is certain that the new member fits well with the "collective and brotherhood", the check is finished and the Cossack can take an oath.

Foto: Wikimedia/rkka.ru

- If someone attacks us by force, we will answer with force, that is clear. All of our members are prepared for that. We are going all the way for it. But it is stated in our codex that "force should be answered by force, but evil never with evil" - said Cossacks colonel Vidakovic.

There are children in their ranks, the children of Cossacks, so there is no age limit. Women are also among Cossacks, and there are at least 10 women in Balkan Cossacks military. In Russian Cossacks, as stated by Zaplatin, it is normal that Cossacks are members of Cossacks organizations with their entire families, women, and children. The secret remains how many members of Cossacks there is, that information must not be revealed. Volunteers and Serbian veterans are also part of the military, and they work in cooperation with some administrations, as colonel Vidojkovic claims. Cooperation with municipalities and local governments is very strong, and as announced by the members of the Cossacks, there will continue to work on that.

- The idea to found Balkan Cossacks army was implemented at an initiative conference on June 2nd in Podgorica when we formed this circle or assembly of the army in the crypt of the temple of Christ's Resurrection. While in Kotor, 26 selected Cossaks delegates were present, representing 50 others - said Zaplatin and explained that the Cossack's centers were placed in Serbia, Russia, Republika Srpska, and Montenegro.

However, there are no Cossack's centers in Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, but there are members of the army.

- The goal is to unite all Cossacks, peaceful and patriotic organizations in Balkan Cossacks army. Cossacks culture basically stands on three "kites": cultural tradition, preserving of statehood and orthodoxy. Our centers should preserve the values of the Slavic world. Slavic code is in our roots, language, culture, history, everything we have in common and which lasts for hundreds of years - added Zaplatin.

Foto: Telegraf

They warned us about the challenge of international terrorism which can be considered one of the causes and motives for forming of this army. According to the historical data, Cossacks units in situations of increased danger in critical moments. When it comes to jeopardizing of the territory, these centers are formed. It is interesting that Serbs had the influence on these organizations in wars. So Serbs joined Cossacks in Ukraine to preserve Slavic and Orthodox values, which were in danger. 

- Among other things, the danger is also the jeopardizing of culture in these areas, changing values that are given to us although they have nothing to do with our roots. Serbian people should not erase its own tradition and to replace it with another one. We are mostly concerned the young, "zombification of youth" and their education. One of the important goals of the army is the education of youth - we organize competitions of young people in various sports, open gatherings. It is important to meet nature and their own country. Also, we should help the monasteries - added colonel Vidakovic, and explained that it is important that young should be trained in the cases of natural disasters.

Foto: Telegraf

Although a large number of people congratulated them and supported their initiative, there are those who had negative reactions, and as they say, there are NATO and NGO's among them.

- In Kotor, we wore our traditional uniforms that cannot provoke, nor weapons. No message was an invitation to conflict, our messages were opposite - not to divide us, not to divide brothers. Many of us have been through hell and we know how war looks like. There are those who are malicious and who call us terrorists and clerofascist, an extended hand of Russian intelligence services - reminded colonel Vidakovic, saying that Cossacks organizations strive to remind about history.

He said that in this case, it is about Balkan Cossacks, not Russian. While Cossacks General Zaplatin reminded on friendship with Russia, it is in the best interest if Serbia is independent.

Foto: Telegraf

- I am a proxy and official representative of the Volunteer Alliance for the Balkans, so before I came here I talked with the leader of the Alliance, who is directly connected with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Unfortunately, I have never met him personally. Putin is a true leader, that can be seen since 1999, so far, what he did, we see the results, the consolidation of the country - Zaplatin said about the Russian president and stressed his actions in Ukraine and Syria.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

Cossacks on Balkans present themselves as a help to the army and say that they should be never taken as para-military formation, as they were presented in some media circles.

- I welcome all brotherly Serbian people and we are prepared to cooperate with everybody to preserve tradition, faith, and culture. We are ready to openly talk with anyone who is focused on our goals - concluded Cossacks general Zaplatin.

Foto: Privatna arhiva

As a Cossacks Alliance of Balkans, we are turned toward Slavic and Orthodox profile, so "they don't expect and it wouldn't be desirable for Turkey to be one of the members", as they the representatives of the Cossacks claim. The branch "Ambassador Cossack Station Svetosavska" in Serbia unifies the work of Cossacks with Montenegro and Republika Srpska.

About Russian Cossacks, there is a special program in Russia for the age up to 20, as well as the law that regulates the same. This country has 11 Cossacks armies, whose atamans are confirmed by the president of the state, Vladimir Putin. And as it is already known, there is a great accent in Russia on military-patriotism and education of young, which includes the State University in Moscow and cadet corps.

Foto: Profimedia/Zuma Press - News

(Telegraf.co.uk / B.S.)