№ 1435-1437. History of Russian Cossacks

Since ancient times Cossack troops have fulfilled the function of the border guards, they have always been the main force of military campaigns beyond Eastern and Western borders of the State.

Don Cossacks are the first on seniority and the largest of the Cossack troops of the Russian Empire. The historical name is connected with the River Don (the Azov Sea basin). Don Cossack troop occupies separate territories of the modern Lugansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine, Rostov, Volgograd and Voronezh regions and the republic of Kalmykia in the Russian Federation.

Kuban Cossacks are the Russian Cossacks of the Northern Caucasus, they occupy the territories of modern Krasnodar region, the western part of the Stavropol Territory, as well as the Republics of Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia. The troop was officially established in 1860 on the basis of the Black Sea Cossack troop and part of the Caucasian linear Cossack army.

Terek Cossacks are the ethnic group of Cossacks, living along the rivers Terek, Sunzha, Assa, Kura, Malka on the north side of the Caucasus. Headquarters of the Terek Cossack army situates in Vladikavkaz.

The stamps depict:
1. Don Cossack men and women in traditional clothes of the end of XIX century.
2. Kuban Cossack men and women in traditional clothes of the end of XIX century.
3. Terek Cossack men and women in traditional clothes of the end of XIX century.

On the margins of the souvenir sheet are the banners of the three troops and symbols of the Russian Cossacks.