InformNapalm volunteer intelligence community presented another array of information on the awards of the active Russian Army servicemen, received during military operations in Ukraine, Syria, as well as the aggression against Georgia.

All previously published OSINT investigations of InformNapalm, based on the evidence of awarding the Russian Army servicemen with medals and orders for military operations outside the Russian Federation, have been structured in a database and presented in the form of video and infographics.

It is noteworthy, that our colleagues from Bellingcat group have used our investigations for their publications, and in late August they published a report Russia’s War in Ukraine: The Medals and Treacherous Numbers.

Arrangement of the information for further study by journalists, analysts, international organizations and all interested parties is very important not only in terms of informing the general public, but also for building of an evidence base for future military tribunals against the aggressor state.

Methodology and foreword

This series of InformNapalm investigations is focused on the data about the state and departmental military decorations of the Russian Federation, received by Russian servicemen and civilian personnel for the distinctions in combat duty.

In particular, such awards have been granted for participating in the undeclared wars which the Russian Federation conducts against Georgia, Ukraine and the Syrian people. In the present data base we collected about 80 recipients of medals and orders awarded for military merit. In most cases, volunteers of InformNapalm obtained not only the names of servicemen, but also award numbers, dates, numbers and other details of relevant decrees and orders. We also collected an published additional materials listing the “exploits” for which the servicemen were awarded.

Our main sources of information have been social pages of Russian servicemen where they show photos and descriptions of their awards. We also tapped into social media accounts of the family members of the servicemen bragging about the medals and orders of their loved ones, posting their pictures. Often, under such photographs there were comments and congratulations connected to the awards which gave us additional clues. Russian soldiers publicly post not only the pictures of the actual medals, but also award certificates with serial numbers, as well as numbers and dates of decrees (orders) of the Supreme Commander or the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation.

It is noteworthy, that prior to 2014, when Russia launched an undeclared war against Ukraine (and then in 2015 went to war in Syria), the data on military decorations had been publicly accessible. The presidential decrees and award registry materials were available to the public. However, this information is now classified.

Apparently, the military and political leadership of Russia has lost confidence and is trying to restrict access to the indirect evidence of the war crimes of the Russian military.

However, Russia continues to encourage its servicemen with military decorations through secret orders. Most mass-issued military awards are the Medal of Suvorov, the Medal For Military Valor, and Medal For Distinction in Combat. One of the most common orders is the Order of Courage.

Order of Courage

State award of the Russian Federation. The Order of Courage is awarded to citizens for their dedication, courage, and bravery shown during the rescue operations, in protecting of public order, in the fight against crime, in response operations to natural disasters, fires, accidents and other emergencies, as well as for brave and decisive actions in the line of military or civil duty in the conditions involving a risk to life.

Dmitry Broskin

For fighting in Donbas
# 74773 by the Presidential decree of 12 December, 2014
17th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 65384, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Sergey Dudorov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Anton Isayev

For participation in the aggression against Georgia in 2008
Presidential decree of 2008
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Yuri Smirnov

For fighting in Donbas and Georgia
No data
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Sergey Gelimar

For fighting in Donbas
# 76703 by the Presidential decree of October 28, 2014
17th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 65384, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Piotr Zholudev

For fighting in Donbas
No data
136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 63354, Dagestan, Southern Military District

Baldan Dorzhu-Belek

For fighting in Donbas
# 76938 by the Presidential decree of January 20, 2015
136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 63354, Dagestan, Southern Military District

Vyacheslav Biche-Ool

For fighting in Donbas
No data
136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 63354, Dagestan, Southern Military District

Medal of Suvorov

State award of the Russian Federation. Medal of Suvorov is awarded to soldiers for bravery and courage shown in the defense of the Motherland and state interests of Russia in ground operations, during combat service and combat alert operations, in exercises and maneuvers, while serving for the Russian Federation’s state border protection, as well as for excellent performance in combat and field training.

Vitaly Shkirin

For fighting in Donbas
# 41099 by the Presidential decree of November 28, 2014
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Ruslan Sultanov

For fighting in Donbas
# 42661 by the Presidential decree of February 21, 2015
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Vladimir Ogorodnikov

For fighting in Donbas
# 42782 by presidential decree # 145c of March 19, 2015

51th Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division, military unit 33842, Tula

Vladimir Yudnikov

For fighting in Donbas
by presidential decree №145c of March 19, 2015
51th Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division, military unit 33842, Tula

Artem Gerasimov

For fighting in Donbas
# 42747 by presidential decree # 145c of March 19, 2015
51th Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division, military unit 33842, Tula

Ruslan Khafizov

For fighting in Donbas and Georgia
No data
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Sergey Medvedev

For fighting in Donbas
# 41799 by the Presidential decree of December 25, 2014
22nd Special Operations Brigade of GRU, military unit 11659, Rostov Oblast, Southern Military District

Bair Dagbaev

For fighting in Donbas

No data

8th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 16544, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Alexandr Yakovlev

For fighting in Donbas
No data
8th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 16544, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Dmitry Semashkov

For the participation in the Syrian operation
# 43672 by the Presidential decree of December 8, 2014.
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

Ivan Zimin

# 43644 by the Presidential decree of December 8, 2014.
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

Viktor Avzhinov

For fighting in Donbas
# 40978 by presidential decree of November 24, 2014
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Vladimir Chembeleev

For fighting in Donbas
# 41191 by presidential decree of December 1, 2014
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Vitaliy Pavlov

For fighting in Donbas
# 41831 by presidential decree of December 25, 2014
19th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 20634, North Ossetia, Southern Military District

Albert Davydov

# 44112 by presidential decree of March 15, 2016
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

Vladimir Koptyaev

# 44796 by presidential decree of June 2, 2016
International Mine Action Center of the Russian Army, military unit 33246, Nakhabino village, Moscow Oblast

Mikhail Nekleyonov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 63354, Dagestan, Southern Military District

Mikhail Chichak

For fighting in Donbas
No data
136th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 63354, Dagestan, Southern Military District

Cross of St George, 4th class

State award of the Russian Federation, the Cross of St George (in four classes). Awarded to soldiers, sailors, sergeants, sergeant-majors, petty officers and warrant officers for acts of valor and distinction in combat defending the Motherland, and for acts of valor and distinction in combat operations in other countries maintaining or restoring of international peace and security, for exemplary display of courage, dedication and military skill.

Ruslan Khafizov

For fighting in Donbas and Georgia
No data
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Konstantin Mishkin

For fighting in Donbas
No data
53rd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade, military unit 32406, Kursk, Western Military District

Medal For Distinction in Combat

Medal of the Ministry of Defense of the Russia Federation. Awarded to military personnel of the Armed Forces of Russian Federation:

• – for excellence, courage and dedication in the fulfillment of tasks in combat and special operations in the conditions involving a risk to life:
• – for the skilled, proactive and decisive action that contributed to the successful accomplishment of combat missions;
• – for the successful command of subordinates in the performance of combat missions.

Sergey Medvedev

For fighting in Donbas
# 5033 by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 148 from March 12, 2015
22nd Special Operations Brigade of GRU, military unit 11659, Rostov Oblast, Southern Military District

Ruslan Skaev

For fighting in Donbas
# 3380 by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 809 from December 10, 2014
66th Signals Brigade, military unit 41600, Stavropol, Southern Military District

Ilnur Aflyatunov

For fighting in Donbas
# 2266 order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 677 from October 2, 2014
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

Rodion Zobunov

For fighting in Donbas
# 5741 by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 591 from August 6, 2015
28th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 61423, Yekaterinburg, Central Military District

Pavel Nekrasov

For participation in the aggression against Georgia in 2008
No data
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Aleksandr Demyanovskiy

For fighting in Donbas
No data
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Mikhail Neberekutya

For fighting in Donbas
Order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 809 from December 10, 2014
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Sergey Polkanov

For fighting in Donbas
Order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 809 from December 10, 2014
205th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 74814, Stavropol Krai, Southern Military District

 Medal For Military Valor

Medal of the Ministry of Defense of the Russia Federation. Awarded to military personnel of the Armed Forces of Russian Federation:

• – for excellent performance in combat, field (air, marine) training;
• – for special distinction in the performance of combat service and duty, in exercises and maneuvers;
• – for bravery, dedication and other merits shown in performance of military duty.

Stepan Kravchenko

For participation in the aggression against Georgia in 2008
No data
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Viktor Ivanov

For participation in the aggression against Georgia in 2008
No data
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Pavel Zaugarov

For fighting in Donbas
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation No. 809 from December 10, 2014
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Denis Sanin

For fighting in Donbas
No data
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Pavel Dyakov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Ilya Sekerin

For fighting in Donbas
Order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 841 from December 23, 2014
74th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 21005, Yurga, Central Military District

Dagba Sandanov

For fighting in Donbas
Order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 840 from December 23, 2014
5th Armored Brigade, military unit 46108, Buryatia, Central Military District

Yevgeny Ivanov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
15th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 90600, Samara Oblast, Central Military District

Stepan Potylitsin

For fighting in Donbas
No data
32nd Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 22316, Novosibirsk Oblast, Central Military District

  Medal For the Return of Crimea

Medal of the Ministry of Defense of the Russia Federation.
Established on March 21, 2014 by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation # 160. It was awarded “for distinction shown during the security measures related to the protection of the rights and life of the citizens of the Republic of Crimea and the staging of the referendum”.
Note: The official website of the Ministry of Defense did not announce the medal, and the only photo of this decoration was removed from the web site soon after its publication. Therefore, some media reported that the new medal was a fake, and the reports on its establishment were a hoax.

Viktor Ivanov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
104th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division, military unit 32515, Pskov, Airborne Forces

Yevgeny Karchanov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 164 from March 28, 2014
Mercenary, Kuban Cossacks

Nikolai Melnikov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 411 from June 01, 2014
15th Missile Brigade of Coastal Defense, military unit 80365, Sevastopol, Black Sea Fleet

Bidzina Shamanauri

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
Order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 109 from February 24, 2015
Mercenary, Terek Cossacks

Radik Turdaleev

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
21st Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 12128, Orenburg Oblast, Central Military District

Nikolay Tumanov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
15th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 90600, Samara Oblast, Central Military District

Ahmed “Tartarin”

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
15th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 90600, Samara Oblast, Central Military District

Dmitry Mikhailov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
7th Armored Brigade, military unit 89547, Chelyabinsk Oblast

Anar Bayramov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
32nd Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 22316, Novosibirsk Oblast, Central Military District

10th Separate Special Operations Brigade of GRU, military unit 51532, Krasnodar Krai

Nikolay Kozlov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
31st Air Assault Brigade, military unit 73612, Ulyanovsk

Stepan Potylitsin

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
32nd Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 22316, Novosibirsk Oblast, Central Military District

Timur Mamayusupov

For participation in the annexation of Crimea
No data
16th Separate Special Operations Brigade, military unit 54607, Tambov, Western Military District

 Medal of Zhukov

State award of the Russian Federation. Medal of Zhukov is awarded to military personnel for bravery, self-sacrifice and personal courage in combat in the defense of the Motherland and state interests of the Russian Federation, for outstanding distinctions in combat service, combat alert duty and participation in exercises and maneuvers, for excellent performance in combat training.

Vyacheslav Gaidukov

For fighting in Donbas
# 0541 by presidential decree of January 22, 2015
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Ivan Ivanov

For fighting in Donbas
# 0561 by presidential decree of January 22, 2015
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Alexandr Karatnik

For the participation in the Syrian operation
# 1349 by presidential decree of December 8, 2015
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

Nikolay Savchuk

For the participation in the Syrian operation
# 1839 by presidential decree of March 16, 2016
291st Artillery Brigade, military unit 64670, Ingushetia, Southern Military District

  Medal of Marshal of Soviet Union Zhukov

The so-called alternative, non-governmental award, which can be ordered through the online store. The medal is dedicated to the 100th anniversary (1896-1996) of G. Zhukov.
Note: originally planned as a commemorative award for encouragement of veterans of war and labor, military, law enforcement, and active participants of civil patriotic activities. That, however, was not realized.

Roman Rever

For fighting in Donbas
by order of the commander of the 18th Motorized Rifle Brigade of February 17, 2015
18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 27777, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Medal For Courage

State award of the Russian Federation. The Medal is awarded to military personnel and police officers, fire fighters, emergency response workers and other citizens for personal courage and bravery shown:

• – in combat in the defense of the Motherland and state interests of the Russian Federation;
• – while performing special assignments to ensure national security;
• – while protecting the state border of the Russian Federation;
• – while fulfilling military, official or civil duty, protecting the constitutional rights of citizens and in other circumstances involving a risk to life.

Andrey Chernov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
22nd Special Operations Brigade of GRU, military unit 11659, Rostov Oblast, Southern Military District

Nikolay Saenko

For fighting in Donbas
No data
606th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, military unit 61996, Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast

Yevgeny Kiryanov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
51th Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division, military unit 33842, Tula

Anatoly Osipov

For fighting in Donbas
# 64165 by presidential decree of September 1, 2014
8th Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 16544, Chechnya, Southern Military District

Mihos Kuryanov

For fighting in Donbas
No data
7th Military Base, military unit 09332, occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, Southern Military District

Participant of Military Operation in Syria

Medal of the Ministry of Defense of the Russia Federation.
Awarded to military and civilian personnel of the Russian Armed Forces:

• – for the distinction, courage and dedication shown during the military operation in the Syrian Arab Republic;
• – for the successful command of subordinates during the military operation in the Syrian Arab Republic;
• – for the dedicated work and great personal contribution to the fulfillment of the tasks of the military operation in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Artem Baranov

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Anna Vishnyakova

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 69 from February 8, 2016, signed by the Head of the Main Human Resources Department of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General M. Smyslov
Member of the women’s support group of the Russian Heroes show performed for the personnel of the Khmeimim military base

Zarifa Mgoian

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation # 69 from February 8, 2016, signed by the Head of the Main Human Resources Department of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General M. Smyslov
Member of the women’s support group of the Russian Heroes show performed for the personnel of the Khmeimim military base

Vyacheslav Ignanin

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Alexey Boronin

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Artem Bryushinin

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Dmitry Eroshin

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Artem Baranov

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Alexandr Nemzorov

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 38643, Colonel V. Fedyanin
61st Marine Brigade, military unit 38643, Murmansk Oblast, Nothern Fleet

Mikhail Hadyrev

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 174 of March 21, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 31651, Captain 1st rank V. Protasevich
Northern Fleet, Murmansk, military unit 31651

Dmitry Ryzhman

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation № 155 of March 16, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 20546, Captain 1st rank A. Mashinetsky
Northern Fleet, Severomorsk, military unit 20546

Yevgeny Talkovsky

For the participation in the Syrian operation
by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (# 174?) of March 21, 2016, signed by the commander of military unit 63603 Lieutenant General Shevchenko
Main Automotive-Armored Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (GABTU), military unit 93603, Moscow

Apart from the simple fact of state military awards being granted to the active Russian military men for the wars where Russian Federation is not officially involved, we came across another vanity trap these servicemen get into. There are many soldiers and officers in the Russian Army craving for decorations, thus demand drives supply. Investigating the comments on social networks and personal correspondence of Russian servicemen, InformNapalm community detected corruption schemes connected to the awards. Some of the high-ranking Russian officers use “award-mania” of their subordinates to encourage bribes. Some soldiers were singled out for awards not for real distinction, but for a backhander.

We also found interesting cases when the brigade commanders created corruption schemes around so-called alternative awards, which can be purchased through online stores. They legalize such awards with a certificate bearing the stamp of the military unit and the signature of a battalion commander, for this the soldiers get charged additionally.

Translated by Andrii Gryganskyi

Edited by Artem Velichko

This publication was prepared on the basis of an OSINT-investigation by the InformNapalm international volunteer group. Information specially prepared for InformNapalm.org site, an active link to the authors and our project is obligatory for any reprint or further use of the material.