Who were the Cossacks? The most feared warriors of their time

The rise of the Cossacks in the 16th and 17th centuries was central to Ukraine's fight for freedom. Originating as a warrior class, Cossacks formed military communities that resisted Polish domination and sought autonomy. The 1648 Khmelnytsky Uprising, led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, was a key moment in Ukrainian history, as Cossacks fought for independence and formed a brief alliance with Russia. Despite challenges, the Cossacks symbolized Ukraine’s enduring struggle for sovereignty and identity. #R