Nikolayenko, I.V. Legal aspects of land ownership of the Cossack societies in the Russian Federation.

Abstract: Currently more than 655 thousand people in Russia consider themselves to be Cossacks or Cossack descendants. And for more than ten years the problem of passing the federal law “On Cossacks in the Russian Federation” is being discussed both federally and locally. This law should define the status of Cossacks, give guidelines on provision of land to the Cossack societies and use of such lands. I.V. Nikolaenko studies current situation and legislation on this issue and also the examples of three subjects of the Russian Federation within the Southern federal district of Russia, such as Stavropol and Krasnodar regions. Author points out variety and contradictions of the approaches to the issue, which are found regionally, calls for finding an acceptable solution on the federal level and development of unified policy on the Cossack issue.