OREANDA-NEWS. October 16, 2008. Among the recipients of the decorations Mr Medvedev particularly noted Heroes of Russia Lieutenant-Colonel Andrei Volovikov and Major Valery Chukhvantsev, whose professional skill and courage saved soldiers’ lives. 

The Gold Star Medal was awarded to test pilots Oleg Mutovin and Vener Mukhametgareyev.

Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolai Laverov and director Mark Zakharov received the Order of Service to the Fatherland I class.

Six people were awarded the Order of Service to the Fatherland II class, five people received the Order of Service to the Fatherland III class, and eleven people were decorated with the Order of Service to the Fatherland IV class.

Among those decorated were Mikhail and Tatyana Sorokin, who set up a family-run children’s home in Rostov Region and are bringing up 48 orphaned children.