User:Mnohohrishnyi/sandbox

= Palanka (administrative unit) = Palanka (Паланка) was a type of administrative division of the Zaporozhian Sich, specifically during the Nova Sich period (1734-1775). It referred to the territory around a palanka fortification, from whence it was administred, which was typically a large wooden building surrounded by palisades. The "palanka starshyna" - local officers and state officials in the Palanka - was usually composed of a polkovnyk (colonel) or serdyuk, and their assitants. The palanka polkovnyk had great power in his territory, often comparable to the power of Kish otaman, and as such could even order executions. This authority extended to all travellers in his palanka; he could deny them entry, or give them a special badge for their protection. Unlike other military and administrative divisions, there were no major palanka councils, with only minor disputes being resolved in the palanka. The number of palankas varied, growing from an initial 5 to a final 10, right before the Liquidation of the Zaporozhian Sich in 1775. The term is a loanword from Italian Palanca, from Latin Phalanx, ultimately from Greek φάλαγξ (line of battle, battle-array).