Following the ceremony, the President had brief conversation with winners of the National Awards and Heroes of Labour of the Russian Federation.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, colleagues, congratulations on Russia Day!
We are celebrating this holiday with warmth and affection for our Motherland, with pride for grand achievements in industry and military service by many generations of our ancestors, with respect for key events in Russian history and, of course, with understanding that all stages in our state’s evolution over 1,000 years form a single journey.
A deep, personal feeling for Russia is part of our mentality. For Russian people, solidarity and patriotism have always been the greatest values that helped us overcome any difficulties, defeat enemies, build our country, and preserve our historical and cultural legacy.
Friends,
A sincere sense of responsibility for our Fatherland is a feeling known to every one of us. And for participants in the special military operation, this is a solid spiritual support, much like the support our heroes receive from the entire Russian nation and our entire society.
We all share the same goals. Courage and perseverance in achieving these goals are qualities possessed by everyone receiving high honours today.
First, let me name the recipients of the Hero of Labour title.
Alexander Batalin has been the director of the well-known Fiolent plant in Simferopol for 40 years. Under his management, this enterprise has been upholding high standards of its own research and design traditions, producing sought-after civilian and dual-use goods, as well as goods for state defence orders.
For Leonid Bobe, developing reliable life support systems for manned spacecraft is a life’s work. Successfully deployed at the International Space Station, his designs affirm the leading positions of Russian science.
Reliability and responsibility are the hallmarks of Vladimir Danilov, a mining works operator at Uralkali. He generously shares a wealth of experience he has gained with young professionals.
Alexander Kolesnichenko has achieved significant results in agriculture. Through his many years of hard work and willingness to embrace new solutions, he demonstrates what a modern agricultural enterprise can achieve.
Marina Neyolova’s talent, vibrant personality, and ability to transform herself on stage have captivated audiences of all generations. Her work in both theatre and film has become iconic, while her skill and dedication set a benchmark for the entire theatrical community.
Nikolai Russu rose from a foreman at grass roots level to the head of one of the country’s leading bridge construction companies. He pours all his energy, knowledge, and strength into engineering projects that reshape Russian regions, unlock their economic potential, and advance Russia’s strategic development.
Anatoly Sviridov sets an exceptional example of devotion to his craft. A highly accomplished all-round turner, he continues the longstanding traditions of hand craftsmanship, skilfully combining them with the demands of modern manufacturing.
Among those receiving the Hero of Labour medal today is the legendary weapon designer Pyotr Serdyukov. Over the course of his long career, he has developed a number of unique small arms and specialised technical equipment that have enhanced the effectiveness of both the army and special forces.
See also
The National Award for outstanding achievements in humanitarian activities is presented to Lomonosov Moscow State University Rector Viktor Sadovnichy. A man of broad scientific knowledge and global mindset, a man capable of foreseeing opportunities and quickly turning concepts into reality, he has been at the helm of Russia’s flagship university for over 30 years, making an immense contribution to preserving the best traditions of fundamental and classical education, and to strengthening Moscow University’s position as Russia’s leading centre of education, intellectual and spiritual development, and more broadly, to shaping strategic areas of Russian higher education. Several significant initiatives aimed at advancing and promoting mathematical knowledge have been carried out under Mr Sadovnichy’s leadership. Of course, his many years of work as Chairman of the Russian Union of Rectors deserve particular respect.
Today, we are also honouring representatives from various research fields.
Russia’s leading Orientalist and Africanist Alexei Vasilyev has combined his vast experience as an international journalist with deep scientific analysis in his fundamental and comprehensive research, reflecting the essence of complex and multifaceted processes in the Middle East. Alexei Vasilyev’s books and articles, and his unique knowledge are in high demand and highly relevant, especially for strengthening mutual understanding between our peoples.
Neurosurgeons Nikolai Konovalov, Vladimir Krylov and Dmitry Usachev have developed and widely implemented high-precision surgery on the brain and spinal cord. They have essentially shaped the modern Russian school of neurosurgery, which already produces highly skilled surgeons. Most importantly, the number of life-saving operations is growing.
Thanks to our scientists’ hard work, the Russian oil and gas sector has undergone some serious transformation. Russia’s first system to increase production efficiency using hydraulic fracturing technology has been developed. This domestic project, a vitally important piece of equipment is the fruit of labour by Oleg Zhdaneyev, Igor Kovshov and Yelena Korsa-Vavilova.
Friends,
The work of this year’s laureates in literature and the arts is united by a common theme: the history of the Russian state and pride in its achievements, and the understanding that the strength of our Fatherland lies in the continuity of traditions, respect for its heritage, and its great culture.
Yekaterina Zhukova, producer at the Moskino film studio, and Maria Ushakova, producer at the Rossiya TV channel, have spent more than a decade creating documentary projects about the most important periods in our country’s history, its heroes, and its creators. Each of their works is grounded in fact and features a dynamic, compelling plot. Through their work, they prove that film can and should serve as a vehicle for public awareness.
The continuity of the past, the present, and the future is reflected in the work of the brilliant director and screenwriter Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky. Through characters from Russian classics and reflections on modern times, through the lives of individuals and sweeping film epics, he reveals to the world the values of our culture, its character, its memory, its spiritual strength, inspiring us to stay true to our roots.
The award for charity work has been presented to Alexei Zarov, chief physician of the Hospital of St Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow. In recent years, one of the specialities of this church hospital has been the care for the seriously ill. That experience proved invaluable during the special military operation. Alexei Zarov and his colleagues organised two mobile hospitals. At one of them, surgeons and general practitioners treated more than 5,000 patients. The second played a vital role in overcoming the humanitarian disaster following the destruction of the Kakhovskaya HPP in the Kherson Region. The training centres established by Alexei Zarov in Simferopol and Sevastopol have trained 8,000 nursing assistants, while nursing communities in Gorlovka, Makeyevka, Lugansk, Donetsk, and other cities provide assistance to residents of our historical regions. Alexei Zarov organises nursing teams not only for professional care but also, as he himself puts it, for service to the sick and wounded. He is, without doubt, a man of deep dedication.
Being there where it is difficult, staying close to those who are struggling, standing up for justice, and taking responsibility – these are the hallmarks of Tatyana Moskalkova, this year’s recipient of the Award for human rights work. Her work as Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner is an example of dedicated service to the people and the Fatherland. From the very beginning of the special military operation, her priority was supporting the military personnel, their families, and civilians affected by the fighting. She has worked – quite successfully – to uphold the constitutional guarantees for the citizens of Russia.
Friends,
The heights you have reached are within the grasp of extraordinary, strong, and generous people, those for whom their work and profession become the very meaning of life.
I sincerely thank every one of you. My heartfelt congratulations on these high state awards.
Thank you very much.
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Vladimir Putin: Friends,
To close our ceremony, I would like to add a few words, building on what has just been said here.
One of the awardees remarked that she had spent her whole life doing what she loved and never imagined she would be recognised for it. And that, I think, is precisely the point.
Today is Russia Day. As we honour outstanding citizens of our country, we are, of course, thinking about young people – about future generations. The task of society and the state is to help them find their calling, so that each of them can discover something they truly enjoy and achieve remarkable success. Just like our award recipients today.
Another recipient said: “We had a dream.” So, may we all have a dream – one we can turn into reality and work towards.
It was also said that Saint Luke endured severe trials because he was with God. Today, on Russia Day, the Almighty, the Lord, is always with our country.
Happy Russia Day.