President Putin presented the Star of Hero of Russia to military test pilot Vyacheslav Kritsky and Cosmonauts Yury Lonchakov and Mikhail Tyurin.
Boris Petrovsky, Honorary Director of the National Scientific Surgery Centre of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, received a top state award, the Order of Andrew the First Called. Vladimir Kotelnikov, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a leading authority on radio technology, radio communications and radio-astronomy, received the Order of Service to the Fatherland, First Class.
Several representatives of the Chechen Republic, Khusein Isayev, Chairman of the Republican State Council, and Federation Council Deputy Akhmar Zavgayev, received the Order of Friendship. Sherip Alikhadzhiyev, head of the Chechen Republic’s Shali District, received the Order of Bravery.
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov received the Order of Military Merit. President Putin said Mr Luzhkov had received this award for the contribution made by Moscow and the Mayor himself to developing the Russian Army.