The Ural Cossack Host was formed from the Ural Cossacks, who had settled along t

he Ural River. Their alternative name, Yaik Cossacks, comes from the former name
of the river, which was changed by the government after the Pugachev's rebellio
n. The Ural Cossacks spoke Russian and identified as having primarily Russian an
cestry, but they also incorporated many Tatars into their ranks.[60] Twenty year
s after Moscow had conquered the Volga from Kazan to Astrakhan, in 1577,[61]the
government sent troops to disperse pirates and raiders along the Volga (one of t
heir number was Ermak). Some escaped to flee southeast to the Ural River, where
they joined Yaik Cossacks. In 1580 they captured Saraichik. By 1591 they were fi
ghting on behalf of the government in Moscow. During the next century, they were
officially recognized by the imperial government.