Putin presented state awards to outstanding Russians

On December 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented state awards to outstanding Russians in the Kremlin's Catherine Hall.

Among those awarded medals, orders and honorary titles were representatives of public and religious organizations, statesmen, journalists, teachers, artists and composers, health care workers, industrial and agricultural workers.

During the ceremony, the President congratulated Russians on Constitution Day. He emphasized that the work of all awardees helps to change life in the country for the better.

"Gold Star" of the Hero of Russia was awarded to military correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny. The award was given to him for the courage and heroism he showed in the performance of his official duty.

The medal of Hero of Labor was awarded to the composer, People's Artist of the USSR and RSFSR Alexandra Pakhmutova, State Duma deputies Gennady Zyuganov and Vladimir Resin, as well as the head of the Rostov Helicopter Production Complex Petr Motrenko.

The head of the State Duma faction "United Russia" Vladimir Vasilyev, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions Mikhail Shmakov and head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin were awarded the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, First Class.

The Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree was awarded to composer, producer, member of the International Union of Pop Art Workers Igor Krutoy, as well as Soviet hockey player and coach Boris Mikhailov and Supreme Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin.

Also among the awardees were Nikolai Tsiskaridze, rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Andrey Kaprin, chief oncologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Maryana Lysenko, head physician of Moscow Clinical Hospital No. 52, Natalia Narochnitskaya, historian and publicist, and Mikhail Silnikov, general director of the Scientific and Production Association of Special Materials, all of whom were awarded the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree. Artist Nikolai Baskov Putin awarded the Order of Honor.

In addition, the honorary title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation was awarded to the artist-puppeteer, voicing Stepashka in the program "Goodnight, kids!", Natalia Golubentseva. Krasnoyarsk teacher Marina Fedyunina was awarded the honorary title of People's Teacher of the Russian Federation. In turn, Olga Aleksandrova, Rector of the All-Russian State University of Justice (RPA of the Ministry of Justice of Russia), was awarded the honorary title of Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation.