Heroes and deeds: Putin presented the highest state awards to 26 outstanding Russians

Vladimir Putin presented the highest state awards to 26 outstanding Russians. On May 22, military personnel, cosmonaut pilots, mothers with many children and statesmen, as well as school principals and honored representatives of working professions received orders, medals and honorary titles in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin. The President noted everyone's contribution to the common cause of the country: the education of a new generation and the protection of the interests of the Russian Federation. The awardees acknowledged that the orders and medals they received were almost always based on the work of an entire team. Who received the title of Hero of Russia that day and where Vladimir Putin was invited — in the Izvestia article.

Awards for doctors, astronauts and diplomats

On May 22, almost three dozen prominent citizens gathered in the Catherine Hall of the Senate Palace in the Kremlin. Among them are famous musicians, cosmonauts and politicians, as well as mothers with many children, workers in the fields of healthcare, culture, education and industry. Vladimir Putin said that the exploits of the defenders of the Fatherland, committed in the name of freedom and the glorious future of their native country, arouse a sense of pride and gratitude.

— You are all masters of your craft, people of great courage and bright talents. And state awards and public recognition are an important sign that Russia needs you and people like you, that together with millions of other workers, creators, and heroes, we are a united, united people, and, as it was recently said at a meeting with volunteers in Kursk, as one team, we will solve any problems."we will respond to any challenges," Vladimir Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

The first recipient of the President's highest Russian award, the Order of St. Andrew— was Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The Foreign Minister was awarded the Order "for outstanding services to the Fatherland, a great contribution to the development and implementation of the foreign policy course of the Russian Federation, and many years of fruitful government activity." He was awarded by presidential decree on March 21, the day of his 75th birthday.

— I don't want to sound formal, but I will say from the bottom of my heart: I take this decision of yours as an assessment of the work of our entire team in implementing the tasks that you set in the field of foreign policy. And I have no doubt that today's event with the award of this order will inspire all my comrades to continue their active work, taking into account the increased demands that have arisen in the international arena, where, without exaggeration, there is a struggle between good and evil," said Sergey Lavrov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Corporal Lyudmila Bolilaya, awarded the title of Hero of Russia, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

Vladimir Putin also presented the stars of the Hero of Russia on this day. This award was given to a nurse, Corporal Lyudmila Bolilaya. The Russian Defense Ministry told about her story on February 9: a woman covered a seriously wounded soldier during the Ukrainian shelling of Russian positions with cluster munitions. Having saved the soldier's life, the nurse received numerous injuries and was taken to a field hospital. The title of Hero of Russia was also awarded to the chief physician of the Alyoshkovsky Central District Hospital in the Kherson region, Vladimir Harlan. He continued to run the hospital despite the situation: in September 2024, a drone attacked his car, which killed the doctor's wife, and in December 2024, Ukrainian forces attacked the hospital. The head doctor was injured, and his deputy, unfortunately, died.

Three cosmonauts also received the gold stars of the Hero of Russia — Konstantin Borisov (he spent 199 days on the ISS), Alexander Grebenkin (went into orbit in March 2024 as part of the crew of Crew-8, returned to Earth at the end of October) and Nikolai Chub (performed a spacewalk in orbit lasting almost eight hours). Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko received the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, first class. Chub and Kononenko set a record for the longest stay on the ISS during a single flight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Roscosmos test cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, awarded the title of Hero of Russia, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

— This is an award for the entire squad of cosmonauts, instructors, engineers, and workers who create space technology. My path to the profession and, one might say, to the Kremlin turned out to be quite long. I was 13 years old when I had the opportunity to go directly to flights. You can say that a childhood dream has come true. It's not exactly customary for astronauts to be in this hall now, in such a solemn atmosphere, but this is a common reward. I spent only 374 days in space. This is a responsible job, a beloved job, which I hope I would like to continue," Nikolai Chub told Izvestia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian State Duma deputy Alexei Gordeev, awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st class, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

State Duma Deputy Alexei Gordeev also received the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, first class. Metropolitan Clement, Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree. Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin and renowned oncologist Valery Chissov also received Orders of the II degree. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Rossiya Segodnya international media group and RT TV channel, received the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree.

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Who is awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky

The Orders of Alexander Nevsky were also awarded in a solemn ceremony: they were awarded by the director of the Center for Martial Arts, Yuri Filimonov, and the General Director of the State Historical Museum, Alexei Levykin.

— First of all, I appreciate this award as a high appreciation of the work of the staff of the State Historical Museum, which has been fulfilling its main mission for more than 150 years — it promotes the self-affirmation of Russian consciousness and promotes the self-affirmation of Russian self-understanding. This was determined by its founding fathers, including Emperor Alexander III," Alexey Levykin said and invited the head of state to visit the Historical Museum.

Alexey Levykin, General Director of the State Historical Museum, who was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

The President called the preservation of the Russian people, their culture and spirituality, and educational traditions the most important task, and Alexey Levykin shows an example of such activity, the Russian leader emphasized.

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The head of state presented the gold stars of the Hero of Labor to State Duma Deputy Nikolai Kharitonov, Director General of NPP Radiosvyaz Rinat Galeev and Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee Vitaly Smirnov. Other awardees include Gennady Evteev, a turner at the Kazan Compressor Engineering Plant, who received the Order "For Valiant Labor." The award "For mentoring" was awarded to the director of school No. 30 in Kostroma, Alexander Zyuzin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian State Duma deputy Nikolai Kharitonov, who was awarded the title Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

The merits of famous musicians and doctors were also appreciated: Pavel Milyukov, a violinist and teacher at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, and Miroslav Kultyshev, a pianist, received the badge of the Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. In addition, Galina Mayarovskaya, President of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, was awarded the Order of Honor. The same award was given to Uralvagonzavod test driver Sergey Melentyev. Uglesha Stanoevich, Chief physician of the Kursk Cancer Research and Clinical Center named after G.E. Ostroverkhov, received the badge of the Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation on this day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and mother of many children Irina Ilyashenko, awarded the title of "Mother Heroine", at the ceremony of awarding the highest state awards of the Russian Federation

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Nikolsky

Traditionally, such ceremonies honor those who receive the title of "Mother Heroine" - on May 22, Maria and Irina Ilyashenko, mothers with many children from Moscow, were awarded this award — they represent different generations of one large family. The women raised 11 and 12 children, respectively. Strong family foundations and traditional values, Vladimir Putin noted, are a solid pillar of our millennial statehood, a reliable moral guideline for all generations.