Cossack Starshina of the Left-Bank Ukraine and the Image of the Poles («Liachs») in Their Perception (Records of the 1670s)

Based on the cases of the Little Russian Prikaz of the 70s of the 17th century, containing information about the participation of representatives of the Left-Bank hetmanate in peace negotiations between Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian state, the article analyzes the statements of the Left-Bank starshina about the “Poles”. They are characterized as a force with which it is impossible to have any cooperation because of their desire to oppress and destroy the “Malorossian people”. Over time, this attitude intensified, which is probably due to the ongoing changes in the position of the Cossack elite in the society of the Left-Bank Hetmanate. It was in the 70s of the 17^th century, after the sharp unrest of the late 60s on the Left Bank, its position quickly strengthened, it turned into a dominant social stratum, which was threatened by the claims of the authorities of the Commonwealth to Ukrainian lands.