A matter of honor: Putin awarded Heroes of Russia with the Gold Star medal
Vladimir Putin presented Gold Star medals to ten Heroes of Russia who distinguished themselves in the area of a special military operation, two of them were awarded posthumously. The ceremony was held on December 9 in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. The determination of the soldiers of the Special Military Operation leaves no doubt about Russia's victory, the president said. The servicemen who received medals told Izvestia about their exploits: some took part in the liberation of settlements, others restrained the enemy and undermined enemy equipment. For what is awarded the "Gold Star" today - in the material "Izvestia".
Who was awarded the medals "Gold Star"
In Russia, December 9, celebrated the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland. This holiday honors people who have devoted themselves to the service of the Motherland: it has become a symbol of the highest state and public respect for the holders of the titles of Heroes of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, as well as the Order of Glory and St. George. Traditionally, it is on this date that Vladimir Putin presented "Gold Star" medals. There is a great history behind this insignia: since 1939 the medal has been awarded to persons who were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and now - to persons who were awarded the title of Hero of Russia.
In a solemn atmosphere under the sounds of the orchestra in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace gathered both military and civilians who have shown special courage and heroism. In total, more than 300 holders of the highest state awards came to the high reception.
"We honor all those who in different times and epochs defended the freedom and independence of our state, defended our right to determine our own destiny. And here, under the arches of St. George Hall, we feel especially keenly the inviolability of centuries-old traditions of military valor. The names of the holders of the Order of St. George, the Order of Glory, Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation are forever inscribed in the annals of victories and achievements of our country. All of them, all our heroes, are united by loyalty to duty - military, civil, human duty to the Fatherland and high, selfless love for the Motherland," Vladimir Putin addressed the audience.
This time the "Gold Star" medal was awarded to ten heroes who distinguished themselves in the zone of special military operation. Two of them - posthumously. The medal for volunteer Vladimir Gavrilenko was given to his wife Elena. He was the commander of the Aksai detachment: he led the personnel out from under fire, provided medical assistance to the wounded, organized evacuation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents the Gold Star medal of the Hero of Russia to Yelena Gavrilenko, widow of volunteer Vladimir Gavrilenko
"Who else but us Cossacks?" - he used to say when he went to the SSO. He is a real hero, a real commander, a caring attentive husband, father, brother, son, friend, comrade. He once told his combat comrades: I have three families, the first is my wife, children, relatives and friends, the second is the Konstantinovsky society, where I am ataman, and the third is the Aksai detachment," she said.
Senior Lieutenant Mikhail Izbakiev was also awarded posthumously. His mother and wife accepted the award from the hands of the President. In his last battle Mikhail Izbakiev covered the group's withdrawal and suppressed two enemy mortar calculations. As he advanced to his own, the officer received multiple wounds from a rocket-propelled grenade shell that exploded nearby and was killed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents the Gold Star medal of the Hero of Russia to Marina Izbakieva, mother of Senior Lieutenant Mikhail Izbakiev, and Anna Mitkova, widow of Mikhail Izbakiev.
Lieutenant Colonel Renat Akberov, Private Alexei Asylkhanov, Lieutenant Vasily Dyak, Captain Valery Enin, Warrant Officer Artem Prokhoda, Lieutenant Denis Raspopov and Major Sergei Selivanov also received the title of Hero of Russia.
- There was an operation to liberate settlements. There we acted in the direction of the main strike and came to the third special purpose brigade "Azov" (terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation), reinforced by the "Foreign Legion". The legionnaires were destroyed, the company commander was taken prisoner, all the subordinate personnel were destroyed and after that we were moving very fast because the enemy did not offer any resistance and was demoralized after that," Sergei Selivanov told Izvestia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents the Gold Star medal to Hero of Russia Major Sergei Selivanov
The award was also awarded to Colonel Dmitry Sablin - Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee. Since 2022, he has been a member of the SSO, commander of the volunteer aerial reconnaissance unit BARS "Cascade" and commander of the unmanned aviation brigade GROM "Cascade" of the Russian Air Force.
Whom the president called the elite of Russia
The president devoted a significant part of his speech to those military personnel who are fighting in the zone of the special military operation. Their determination leaves no doubt about the victory of the Russian Federation, the head of state is sure.
"Acting on the front line, in the most difficult areas, they showed courage, the highest professionalism, exceptional personal qualities, gave a decisive response to the enemy, rescued, covered their fighting comrades, despite the wounds they received, continued to lead," he said.
Such a strong value basis is necessary not only in the military, but also in civilian service, Putin said. He then recalled the special personnel training program "Time of Heroes", among the participants of which there are already more than 60 holders of the Order of Courage, and 21 people hold the title of Hero of Russia.
"We will definitely continue to rely on such people. They are the real, not fake, but genuine elite and pride of the country," the president said.
And this also applies to employees of defense industry enterprises, sectors of our economy, science, culture, social sphere. Scientists, designers, engineers, workers provide reliable security and technological sovereignty of the state, Vladimir Putin emphasized.
"We are once again convinced that no matter how hard trials our Fatherland had to face, the answer has always been cohesion, unity, strong will to win. This is inherent in our national character, which has been passed on from generation to generation and will continue to be passed on," he said.
Participants of the meeting told Izvestia that such words of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief are especially important today against the background of the escalation of the conflict and the West's attempts to continue pumping weapons into Kiev. However, according to Hero of Russia Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, who was eagerly talking to journalists in the hall, the actions of the enemy will not affect the outcome of the Strategic Defense Forces.
- Russia should not make concessions, Russia should defend fully its interests, the security interests of our state, people and integrity," he emphasized, answering Izvestiya's question.
Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov
Vladimir Putin also emphasized in his speech that no one will be able to break Russia, because "we have truth, strength of arms, and strength of spirit on our side."
What was discussed at the closed meeting of Vladimir Putin with the awardees
After the award ceremony, the President had an informal chat with the Heroes of Russia who received the Gold Star over a glass of champagne. MP Dmitry Sablin told Izvestia that during the conversation with the head of the Russian Federation he discussed the development of unmanned aviation.
- Vladimir Vladimirovich said that the Defense Ministry was preparing proposals. There is an understanding that this is a future direction, very important in development," he said.
In addition, the president asked the awardees to convey his best wishes to their families and units, thanked the servicemen for their work for the benefit of the Motherland and wished them success, good luck and victories. Vladimir Putin spoke to the families of those awarded posthumously separately.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Heroes of Russia
While the head of state was talking to the awardees in the neighboring hall, the participants of the event in St. George's Hall were in no hurry to leave. Heroes of Russia wanted to communicate with representatives of the country's leadership. First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kirienko, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin, and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov were present at the award ceremony. All of them willingly talked to the participants of the ceremony and even knew many of them personally. And the Minister of Defense was in no hurry to leave the site, despite the cluster of journalists around him, trying to ask questions about the situation in the SVR zone. For about 20 minutes Belousov took pictures with the participants of the event, and even preferred to have a one-on-one conversation with some of them. The Minister's interlocutors did not disclose details of the conversation to journalists.
