Peskov explained the rapid awarding of the title of Hero of Russia to Sergeant Grigoryev

A lieutenant from Yakutia Andrei Grigoryev, who overpowered a Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) fighter in hand-to-hand combat, was awarded the title of Hero of Russia quickly, as the head of state Vladimir Putin personally decided on the award. This was announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on January 13.

"There is a certain order, he was presented for the award. The President made such a decision," he said at a briefing.

Putin awarded Grigoriev the title of Hero of Russia on January 11. On the same day the head of Yakutia Aysen Nikolaev met with the sergeant and presented him with a knife.

"Our fighters have their own home behind them, literally."

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In an interview with RT on January 11, the sergeant himself shared that he was in shock after being awarded the title of Hero of Russia. He noted that he did not expect such a quick decision. The serviceman added that he learned about the award from his brother, who called him.

The press service of the All-Russian People's Fund (ONF) reported on January 4 that Yakut fighter Grigoryev had defeated an AFU fighter in hand-to-hand combat. The fight took place after a Ukrainian drone attack. Grigoryev, along with a fellow soldier, was supposed to plant a Russian flag in Trudovoye in the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR). The Ukrainian militant tried to induce the fighter to surrender, but Grigoriev clashed with him and used a knife. The Russian Armed Forces soldier managed to overpower the enemy, who after the fight asked to be allowed to "leave quietly".