Putin sent letters of thanks to the Donetsk News Agency

Five employees of the Donetsk News Agency have been awarded letters of appreciation by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the awarding ceremony was held by the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), Denis Pushilin. This is stated in a message posted on December 22 on the agency's website.

The media outlet is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Donetsk News Agency was established by decree of the first head of the DNR Alexander Zakharchenko on December 22, 2014.

"We have done a lot of work to receive such high honors today. We are proud that our aspirations have been appreciated by the President. For 10 years we have managed to go through a lot, experienced a lot. There have been ups and downs, there have been successes, there have been failures. We have lost our brothers, we have gained companions and friends. We strived to bring the truth to the world about what is happening in Donbas," said Roman Hromniak, editor-in-chief of the agency.

The employees of the Donetsk News Agency also received commendations from the Russian government office, which were presented by the deputy chairman of the government of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), Larisa Tolstykina.

The government expressed gratitude to the journalists for their high professionalism and objectivity in covering the events in the Russian Federation.

First Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko congratulated the ten-year anniversary.

"Donetsk journalists have long been an example for their colleagues from other regions, and this is an example of courage, resilience and true professionalism," he emphasized. The text of the congratulations was sent to the agency on December 22.

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Earlier, on December 12, Putin presented state awards to outstanding Russians in the Kremlin. Among them was Yevgeny Poddubny, a VGTRK war correspondent wounded near Kursk, who was awarded the "Gold Star" of the Hero of Russia.

At the same time, during the award ceremony, the Russian president thanked the war correspondents and other journalists for their objectivity in assessments and faith in the country.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by the Russian president on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.