Presenting Gold Star medals to special military operation participants

The award ceremony was also attended by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov Belousov AndreiDefence Minister of the Russian Federation and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov Gerasimov ValeryChief of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defence .

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, comrades,

I am pleased to congratulate you on your well-deserved military awards and present you with the Hero of Russia Gold Stars.

You and your fellow soldiers liberated Seversk, an important Russian city, in extremely difficult conditions by rapidly overcoming the enemy's powerful and layered defences.

This and other similarly brilliant military operations were the result of the consistent and comprehensive work of the command, the leadership of the Southern Military District headquarters, unit commanders, and servicemen of individual brigades.

But first and foremost, this is the result of your efforts, enormous personal courage and dedication of the soldiers and officers, thanks to which strategic towns were liberated opportunities opned up for our troops to advance further in the most critical areas and directions.

Comrades,

We are proud of you and your comrades-in-arms, participants in this special military operation. You are standing guard over Russia, defending the security of the country and its citizens, and courageously fighting for a dignified future for our people.

Those present here are professionals, brave warriors, and true patriots of the Motherland. I thank you and all your comrades for your valiant service and your loyalty to the Fatherland. I am confident that with courageous people like you, we will achieve all our goals.

Once again, I congratulate you on being awarded the high title of Hero of Russia and wish you continued success. Please convey my sincere words of support and gratitude to your comrades, your families, and your friends.

I wish you good health and all the very best. Thank you for your service.