28 May 2010, 11:00
Atamans call Cossacks of Rostov Region to take part in census
The Board of Atamans of the All-Great Don Army has addressed the Cossack population of the Don River area to be active at the census planned in October 2010.
"Today, we should prove that our Cossack nation is alive, and there's such nationality - a Cossack!" runs the appeal.
According to Victor Vodolatskiy, Ataman of the All-Great Don Army, in 2008, the initial census tabulation showed the Cossack population of region as 600,000; then the regional committee for statistics unofficially reduced the number to 150,000. "In the final end," Mr Vodolatskiy has stated, "due to efforts of unfair counters the figure dropped to 50,000 Cossacks living all over Russia."
Author: Vera Voloshinova Source: CK correspondent