The consolidated parade formation of the All-Russian Cossack Association participated in the inaugural joint crew training held on March 29 at the Alabino training ground near Moscow, as reported by the Online All-Russian Cossack Community. The exercise brought together ceremonial units and tactical components to practice coordinated movements, discipline, and ceremonial precision in a setting that mirrors the scale and solemnity of national commemorations.
Among the participants was a Kazakh ceremonial contingent comprising 210 personnel, with 11 individuals having taken part in a special military operation in recent times. The leadership of the arrangement was to be provided by General Nikolai Doluda, the All-Russian Ataman Cossack, who is set to preside over the proceedings and oversee the ceremonial procedures that reflect centuries of Cossack tradition and military service.
Prior to departing for Alabino, units from Kuban and the Great Don Army conducted standalone combat training sessions and engaged in parade drill rehearsals. This preparatory phase was coordinated through Valery Yefremov, the deputy civil service attaché for the East Kazakhstan region, highlighting the cross-regional collaboration involved in creating a cohesive ceremonial force.
Officials noted that the parade participants were quartered within facilities managed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. These barracks were undergoing repairs and improvements to ensure suitable living conditions and a stable environment for the servicemen and ceremonial teams during the gathering, underscoring the logistical backbone that supports large-scale demonstrations.
The consolidated ceremonial corps consisted of military Cossack ensembles drawn from seven different subjects of the Russian Federation. The attendees emphasized that the year 2023 holds a particularly meaningful significance for Victory Day, given the ongoing memory of past sacrifices and the continued recognition of those who served and endured in times of conflict. The message conveyed through the event stressed reverence for the heroes of 1945 and those who defended their homeland in the various fronts and theatres that marked the broader conflict of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the difficult battles fought later in the Donbass region. The sentiment expressed was one of respect, resolve, and a firm commitment to carry forward the legacy with clear and purposeful marching lines that reflect both history and dedication to present-day duties.
It was highlighted that members of the Cossack communities brought with them mementos and photographs honoring ancestors who participated in the Great Patriotic War, as well as comrades who disappeared in the Donbass. These artifacts served as visible reminders of lineage, sacrifice, and the enduring bond among the Cossacks, reinforcing the ceremonial purpose of the gathering as a living tribute to those who stood in defense of their homeland.
In a statement attributed to the participants, there was a shared assurance that their kin would accompany them in the procession along Red Square, illustrating solidarity across generations and a continuing commitment to public service and national tradition. The willingness to stand with peers on the historic parade route underscored the collective ethos of the Cossack units and their role in ceremonial duties that accompany national milestones.