- published: 22 May 2016
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The Zaporozhian Cossacks, Zaporozhian Cossacks Army, Zaporozhian Army (Ukrainian: Військо Запорізьке, Russian: Войско Запорожское) or simply Zaporozhians (Ukrainian: Запорожці Zaporozhtsi, Russian: Запорожцы Zaporozhtsy, Polish: Kozacy zaporoscy, Czech: Záporožští kozáci) were Cossacks who lived beyond the rapids of the Dnieper River, the land also known under the historical term Wild Fields in today's Central Ukraine. Today much of its territory is flooded by the waters of Kakhovka Reservoir.
The Zaporizhian Sich grew rapidly in the 15th century from serfs fleeing the more controlled parts of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It became established as a well-respected political entity with a parliamentary system of government. During the course of the 16th, 17th and well into the 18th century, the Zaporozhian Cossacks became a strong political and military force that challenged the authority of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Tsardom of Russia, and the Crimean Khanate.