[1] However, since the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia the Registered Cossacks have assumed a direct military role.

[9] In peacetime, the registered Cossacks are used for the following activities and functions: conservation, protection and restoration of forests; patriotic education of young people and their preparation for military service; Assistance in natural disasters, accidents, catastrophes and other emergencies; extinguishing forest fires and other fires; protection of public order; Border protection and securing the state border; Protection in municipalities and in municipal institutions and organizations; In some regions, the operation of a city police force (including special units “Kobra”), in which numerous Cossacks ensure public safety.

In this way, they compensate for the lack of trained personnel in the country's security structures and, through their voluntary work, they contribute to savings for the state budget.

[10][11] Registered Cossacks receive a stipend[10] and are granted certain privileges: a uniform, a rank, insignia and awards, wearing a Cossack whip (nagaika), sword (shashka), dagger (Qama) and, in certain cases, firearms or a firearms permit in exchange for providing security in certain areas.

In particular, it works in the spheres of patriotic education and the continuing historical Cossack customs and traditions.

Cossack units helped in the Russian operations in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria.