Wild Fields (Dikoe Pole)

The Wild Fields, or Dikoe Pole, was a vast, mostly uninhabited steppe region located north of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It geographically corresponds to much of modern-day southern and eastern Ukraine, acting as a transitional zone between European forests and Asian steppes.

The area served as a dangerous buffer zone between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the north and the aggressive Crimean Khanate to the south. The open plains provided no cover from the frequent, devastating raids by Crimean Tatars looking to capture slaves, making permanent settlement nearly impossible.

The region was eventually settled by the Cossacks, highly independent frontiersmen and warriors who formed militarized communities along the riverbanks. They thrived in the harsh environment by hunting, fishing, and fiercely defending their autonomy against both Polish and Tatar forces.

The large-scale settlement of the Wild Fields began in the late 18th century following the Russian Empire's military victories against the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate. Catherine the Great aggressively encouraged immigration, inviting foreign settlers like the Mennonites to farm the newly secured lands.