Cossack units to guard Sochi Games

MOSCOW - Over 400 Cossacks have joined the security efforts in the Russian resort of Sochi, venue of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, authorities said Thursday.

"On Wednesday, 410 Cossacks went to Sochi to participate in providing public order," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted an unnamed representative of the unit as saying.

He said the uniformed Cossacks patrols will remain in the city until the end of Paralympic Games. Typical Cossack costume includes elaborate tunics, fur hats and even swords.

The 22nd Winter Olympics will be held on February 7-23, while the Paralympics are to take place on March 7-16.

Sochi is located in Krasnodar region where 1,500-strong Cossack patrols have been on duty since September 2012.

Earlier the day, Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said it has deployed 8,925-man group with 1,628 vehicles in Sochi.

In addition, the ministry plans to monitor from space the vicinities of Sochi during the upcoming Olympic Games