Zaporozhian Cossacks

The Zaporozhian Cossacks or Zaporizhian Cossacks, also known as the Zaporozhian Cossack Army or the Zaporozhian Host (Ukrainian: Військо Запорозьке, romanized: Viisko Zaporozke), were Cossacks who lived beyond (that is, downstream from) the Dnieper Rapids. They were predominantly Ruthenians, but also included other ethnic groups (most notably their legendary kish otaman Ivan Sirko was of Moldavian origin). Scientific studies conducted on the Zaporozhian Cossack genetics show that their Y-chromosomal genetic makeup forms the southern fragment of East Slavic population, with minimal levels to absence of Caucasian and Asian component in their paternal gene pool. Along with Registered Cossacks and Sloboda Cossacks, Zaporozhian Cossacks played an important role in the history of Ukraine and the ethnogenesis of Ukrainians. The Zaporozhian Sich.