The Cossack cross (Ukrainian: Козацький хрест, romanized: Kozatskyi khrest) is a type of cross pattée used by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[1][2][3][4] It is frequently used in Ukraine as a memorial sign to fallen soldiers[5][6][7][8] and as military awards.[3][9]
History
Historically it was used by Cossacks and the Zaporozhian Army.
It has also been adapted as part of the emblem of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine, and is depicted on the flags and coat of arms of several Ukrainian regions, districts and cities, like Konotop, Zinkiv and Zolotonosha.[3][10][11] The Memorial to Ukrainians shot at Sandarmokh uses a Cossack cross.[12][13][8]
As of September during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces started to paint a simplified white Cossack cross on their vehicles as an IFF marker designating Ukrainian vehicles from a distance.[14]
Examples
- Flag of the Zaporozhian Sich.
- Emblem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Emblem of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
- Security Service of Ukraine Emblem.
- State Service of Ukraine for Emergencies.
- The Badge of Honour.
- Medal For Supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Flag of the Bobrovytsia Raion with a Cossack cross under its coat-of-arms
- Flag of Azov (Russia) with a Cossack cross
- Flag of Cetinje
- Coat of arms of the Rivne Oblast
- Coat of arms of Konotop
- Memorial at Sandarmokh.
- Cossack crosses seen at the Usatove cemetery.
- Plain Cossack cross.
- Vehicle marking during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Vehicle marking during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Soldier of the 17th Tank Brigade painting a cross on a captured tank