A raven, not a common crow — a large, majestic bird of prey with glossy, blue-black plumage that lives far from human settlements. It was this bird’s image that one of the otamans (leaders) of the Kholodny Yar Republic chose as his nom de guerre — and it is this exact symbol that forms the front embossing of this cover.

Who Was the Black Raven?
Ivan Chornousov, known by his alias Black Raven, was an otaman of Zvenyhorodshchyna and Kholodny Yar, and a commander of the Lebedyn Regiment of the Kholodny Yar Republic during the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) era. Interestingly, the call sign "Black Raven" was held by several otamans at the time — the most famous being Mykola Sklyar, immortalized in Yuriy Horlis-Horskyi’s historical novel Kholodny Yar. However, it was Chornousov's emblem that inspired the iconography used today on the patches of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — direct heirs to the spirit of that fight.

The front of the cover features a deep embossing of a raven in flight. The back displays an oak tree with crossed daggers and the Latin motto NUNQUAM RETRORSUM — "Never Backwards." Together, these two symbols tell a unified story: the bird of prey representing the otaman leader, and the oak with daggers signifying the entire rebel movement that stood to the death and never retreated.

The Kholodny Yar Republic existed from 1919 to 1922 in the forest region of Chyhyrynshchyna, with its capital in the village of Melnyky. It became one of the longest-lasting strongholds of armed resistance against Bolshevik rule in Ukrainian lands. The insurgents fought under a black banner embroidered with silver thread reading "Freedom of Ukraine or Death".

Material & Craftsmanship
The cover is handcrafted from genuine Crazy Horse leather. It is distinguished by its soft texture and subtle vintage effect: minor scuffs that appear with use can be smoothed out with a simple rub of your finger, while the leather develops a unique, personal patina over time.

Embossing is executed using a metal stamp and press — deeply pressed into the surface without ink, so the design remains embedded within the leather structure rather than sitting on top.

Folded dimensions — 8 × 10.5 cm (3.15 × 4.13 inches) with a single compartment: compact, functional, and ideal for daily carry.

Two internal pocket sizes are available for selection: 5 cm (1.96 in) and 9 cm (3.54 in).

Available colors: Black, Dark Brown, Blue, Green, Cognac Brown, Red, Burgundy (Bordo), Camel / Tan.

Every order comes in branded gift packaging, ready for presentation right out of the box. Delivery via Nova Poshta or Ukrposhta: items in stock ship in 1–2 days; out-of-stock items are custom-made upon request. Payment via bank transfer (with fiscal receipt) or Cash on Delivery. 14-day exchange and return policy.

The "Kholodny Yar" cover is more than just an accessory. It is the sign of an otaman who chose a bird of prey as his emblem — and of the brigade that proudly carries this symbol forward today.