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The head of state presented awards, medals and honorary titles to 45 outstanding Russian citizens.

Vladimir Putin conferred the title of Hero of Russia to the commander of the Briansk underwater nuclear cruiser and first rank Captain Sergei Rachuk, and emeritus test pilot Nikolai Kuimov, among others.

Outstanding Russian artists as well as scientific and cultural figures received awards. In particular, the President awarded opera signer Galina Vishnevskaia and academic and head of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolai Dobretsov the order For Services to the Fatherland II degree. Singer Lev Leshchenko received the order For Services to the Fatherland III degree and the coach of the Russian figure skating team, Tatiana Tarasova, an Honour Award.

The head of state placed special emphasis on the role Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU) played in implementing the programme for the Year of Russian Language, to be held this year. MSLU director Irina Khaleeva received an award For Services to the Fatherland III degree.

Opening the ceremony Vladimir Putin emphasized that the right to call oneself a real patriot and citizen of one’s country is not limited to any one profession.