Russian Federation New award - Medal "For naval merit in the Arctic"

[TacHel]

I still have to find the establishment order for this one but it has already been bestowed a few times.

[TacHel]

Press release following the initial award of the new medal.

MOSCOW, March 21 - RIA Novosti. Several prominent Russian submariners were awarded the new award of the Russian Federation's Ministry of Defense, the Medal "For naval merit in the Arctic", said Navy Captain First Rank Igor Dygaloto of the press service of the information management department of the Defense Ministry to reporters on Friday.

The award ceremony was held in St. Petersburg at the Dmitry Shostakovich State Philharmonic Academy. On the eve of March 19, Russia celebrated the 108th anniversary of its submarine fleet.

The medal of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation "For naval merit in the Arctic" was awarded, amongst others, to the Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vladimir Korolev and the former commander of its submarine squadron, Vice-Admiral Anatoly Shevchenko. The latter is the only submariner in the World to have made three campaigns under the ice to the North pole" - said Dygalo .

Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vladimir Korolev

According to him, the medal was also presented to the Deputy Head of the Military Training and Research Center, Navy Rear Admiral Sergei Rachuk who became a Hero of Russia in 2006 after a long voyage with the crew of the submarine K- 117 "Bryansk". Given the importance and secrecy of the sub's mission, the text of the award decree only said "for courage and heroism in the line of duty."

Navy Rear Admiral Sergei Rachuk (seen here being decorated by President Putin with the Gold Star of a Hero of Russia prior to promotion to his present rank)

In addition, the medal was awarded to several officers , including Hero of Russia Vice-Admiral Mikhail Motsak, former Chief of Staff of the Northern Fleet who managed the recovery of the nuclear submarine "Kursk". Among the recipients were also Captain First Rank Sergei Sobolewski who, in 1971, first reached the North Pole in nuclear submarine K-411, and Hero of Socialist Labor Captain First Rank Valentin Rykov who in 1961, made ​​a campaign under the pack ice between the Franz Josef Land and the island of Spitsbergen to latitude 84 in a nuclear submarine.

Hero of Russia Vice-Admiral Mikhail Motsak

Hero of Socialist Labor Captain First Rank Valentin Rykov

[TacHel]

Note: I'll soon have better photos, I already have this medal in the mail on the way from Moscow.

[Paul R]

Another beauty! I am glad to see that they are adoping a medal for Arctic Service.

[TacHel]

Here she is: