Hello my name is Alexander (Sasha) and I am from Stanitsa Varenikovskaya, Krasnodar Kray, Russia. I am a Cossack in rank of Yesaul presently serving in th 1st volunteer "Plastuny" Batallion of the 10th (Mountain) ObrSpN (Spetsnaz Brigade), that will be jointly administered by the Great Kuban Host and the GRU when it is inagurated later this year. Like any true Cossack, I love my country and in the past have stood firm in defending its honour, which included participating in 1999-2000 Second Chechen campaign, avenging thousands of ethnic Russian victims of the genocide unleashed on them in 1990-1994.

Personal research into my roots indicate that originally my main predecessor family originated from around Lida in modern Belarus. They settled there during the northern migration of the Slavs prior to the founding of Ancient Ruthenian state. During the early 16th century, they like thousands others, fled from Polish persecution to Zaprozhia. There they became Cossacks, and participated in the famous Pereyaslavl Rada, restoring unity of the Russian people.

Up until the late 18th century they guarded Russia's south-western approach, and afterwards migrated to the Kuban, stanitsa Varenikovskaya, where they have lived since. Although I will be honest these are only the dominant roots that I have inherited, in Cossack traditions it is normally only the father's line that contributes to heritage, and it often customary to only have the male descendents inherit everything whilst female descendents would be married off to other Cossacks and move in with them. As a result the solidarity amongst us Cossacks to each other is very high since it is very likely that even from a distant stanitsa on the host you will be able to find your own relatives.

However, in the 19th century, fighting for our Great Empire's interests in the Balkans and Caucasus, many war brides were brought back by Cossacks. I know certainly that my grandfather is 1/8 Serbian, and noting above about female heritage, there is probably Bulgarian, Greek and Circassian blood in me as well. Just about every generation in our family fought in every single war that Russia got herself muddled in (or was in turn invaded). Be it Balkans, Caucasus, Central Asia, both World wars, Afganistan as a result our house holds over a hundred medals and awards some dating back to the 17th century.