Dmitry Medvedev presented the mayors of the three cities with certificates.
The titles were conferred by presidential executive order of December 8, 2009 “for the courage, steadfastness and mass heroism the defenders of these cities displayed in fighting for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland”.
The Federal Law on the title of City of Military Glory was passed in May 2006. Under the law, the title is awarded to Russian cities whose defenders displayed great bravery and heroism in fierce battles in the cities themselves or in their environs.
So far, the title has been conferred on 19 other Russian towns and cities, namely Belgorod, Dmitrov, Kronstadt, Kursk, Luga, Malgobek, Naro-Fominsk, Orel, Polyarny, Rostov-on-Don, Rzhev, Tuapse, Velikiye Luki, Veliky Novgorod, Vladikavkaz, Voronezh, Vyazma, Yelets, and Yelnya.