The term Tatar refers to a Turkic-speaking people who are native to the Volga-Ural region in Russia. The Cossacks were a group of predominantly East Slavic people who lived in the steppes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They were known for their military prowess and often served as mercenaries in the Russian army. The Cossacks were also closely associated with the Tatars, as they often fought alongside them in battles against the Russians.