The ceremony, timed to coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the first manned space flight, was attended by Yury Gagarin’s widow Valentina Gagarina and his two daughters, as well as the first Soviet cosmonauts and space engineers, who were at the forefront of Russia’s space industry.

The President signed executive orders on presenting state decorations to space industry employees and veterans. Cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka, Mikhail Korniyenko and Alexander Skvortsov have been awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

On the eve of the Interior Ministry Troops’ 200^th anniversary, the President decorated servicemen who have shown heroism and courage in the performance of their duties. The ceremony took place at the Kremlin.

The President reviewed the weapons, special equipment and gear used by the special purpose police units and watched the Zubr detachment’s tactical and special operations exercises.

Aldar Tsydenzhapov has been posthumously decorated with the Gold Hero of Russia Star for preventing an explosion aboard the destroyer Bystry.

Dmitry Medvedev presented orders, medals, and certificates conferring honorary titles to 36 Russian Federation citizens.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Executive Order awarding the Order of Courage to Anas Pshikhachev, mufti, first deputy chair of the Coordinating Centre for Muslims in the North Caucasus and chair of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kabardino-Balkaria, for the courage and bravery he showed in performing his civic duties (posthumously).

Dmitry Medvedev took part in the closing ceremony of the Year of the Teacher in Russia and presented state awards to outstanding teachers.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) personnel on the agency’s 90^th anniversary, presented its head, Mikhail Fradkov, with the Honorary Certificate of the Commander in Chief, and presented state decorations to a number of SVR officers. 

During a trip to Stavropol Territory, Dmitry Medvedev visited an Interior Ministry’s motorised battalion base, where he spoke with the servicemen and reviewed the arms and equipment the unit has at its disposal.

Dmitry Medvedev presented state decorations to the crew of the Tu-154 jet, which made a crash landing in the Komi Republic in September, saving the lives of over 70 passengers.

Reception to mark the National Unity Day took place in the Kremlin.

The Russian Armed Forces are currently undergoing changes, and despite the fact that change is difficult, it is nevertheless necessary: the efficiency and combat readiness of the Armed Forces, as well as the social and financial wellbeing of officers and their motivation are crucial conditions for ensuring Russia's defence capability. Dmitry Medvedev stated the above at a ceremony for presenting state decorations to servicemen held near Moscow.

During his trip to the Republic of Tatarstan, Dmitry Medvedev visited KAMAZ automobile plant where he viewed samples of the vehicles produced and presented state decorations to members of the KAMAZ Master Team for success at the 2010 Dakar Argentina-Chile rally raids.

Decorations were awarded to 46 people, including representatives of the emergency situation and rescue services of 15 countries that came to Russia’s aid during the wildfires caused by this summer’s heat wave.

Dmitry Medvedev signed Executive Order On Awarding State Decorations to the Crew of a Tu-154 Aircraft of Mirny Aviation Division of AO ALROSA, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Dmitry Medvedev signed Executive Order awarding the Order of Honour to Juozas Budraitis for his great contribution to developing Russian-Lithuanian cultural cooperation.