Role of Cossacks in the mechanism of the Russian state

The article considers the domestic phenomenon, which was called «Cossacks». Attention is drawn to the uniqueness of such a phenomenon on the example of European countries and military monastic orders. A historical analysis of changes in the life of the Cossack society and its role in the formation of Russian statehood is carried out. The duality of the attitude of power to the life of the Cossacks is noted, which is clearly seen in the events of the XX century.