TacHel Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Official medal of the defense ministry. Several non official medals were also struck to commemorate the same department but this is the one and only official/governmental medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 Award document. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaffken Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I'm not quite sure what the significance of the red starburst is to the GRU, but here's a variation that I recalled from the patch of the old 24th Spetsnaz Brigade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 (edited) I've looked through a few Russian heraldic sites but couldn't find it... The one thing that surprised me about this medal was the choice of ribbon. It's in the colors of the Foreign Intelligence Service, a completely separate organization, almost a rival within Russia. They merely used the ribbon from the Medal for "Veteran of the Foreign Intelligence Service" and reversed it. Edited December 20, 2009 by TacHel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) This medal with the GRU emblem is one of the unofficial medals being pawned off as the real thing. I'm actually quite surprised that a non government organization was allowed to hang it from a ribbon that closely ressembles real Defense Ministry colours. Edited December 21, 2009 by TacHel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 This is yet another "non-governmental" medal denoting the same event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaffken Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I've looked through a few Russian heraldic sites but couldn't find it... The one thing that surprised me about this medal was the choice of ribbon. It's in the colors of the Foreign Intelligence Service, a completely separate organization, almost a rival within Russia. They merely used the ribbon from the Medal for "Veteran of the Foreign Intelligence Service" and reversed it. Thanks for looking Frank! I guess I can sort of understand the logic of the ribbon, being that the GRU and SVR both have responsibilities abroad, but it's still a little odd (like you say), esp. when you consider that the GRU is a military entity while the SVR is non-military. I suppose it would be interesting to know what the colors in the ribbon represent...that might explain the inversion. (or maybe there's just a ribbon shortage in Russia ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacHel Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 The SVR is 70% pure military, simply not under the Defense Ministry. Look at the SVR's long service medals my friend, they're military medals. Go on the SVR's web site and scan through the press releases, all military uniforms on the pictures. But that doesn't explain this ribbon now does it?:unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now