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Mr Putin noted that Krakow, where the award ceremony took place, was preserved thanks to the efforts of these veterans, as the Soviet troops stormed the city without the support of heavy artillery and aircraft.

Russians, Ukrainians and Jews will never forget the feat accomplished by the Soviet troops, who had to fight for every metre, seeing their comrades-in-arms fall as they went, the President said.

Mr Putin spent time talking with the veterans after the award ceremony.