How have Ukrainian military forces remained so determined in the face of overwhelming odds? Building on insights from the ethnic conflict literature, Richard Arnold argues that the Cossack myth has been an integral part of the high motivation of Ukrainian forces and has helped facilitate their exemplary performance. Evidence to support these claims comes from fieldwork conducted with forces in the ATO in 2018 and 2019 as well as just-concluded online interviews with Ukrainian army members.
Richard Arnold is Associate Professor of Political Science at Muskingum University and a member of the PONARS network. Dr. Arnold received a Fulbright award in AY2022-23 and an NCEEER grant to fund sabbatical research on Cossack formations in Russia and Ukraine. Just returned from Poland-based fieldwork, he has written about the Russian Cossack side of the picture in a newly published report on paramilitary groups currently fighting in Ukraine.
Mershon Mondays encourage Ohio State researchers in different disciplines, career stages, and professional networks to share ideas and perspectives on global security questions. A light lunch is served. Given a strong response in the fall, we're now requesting advance registration.
