The Order of Friendship is a state decoration of the Russian Federation established by Boris Yeltsin by presidential decree 442 of 2 March 1994 to reward Russian and foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts have been aimed at the betterment of relations with the Russian Federation and its people. The design of order was created by Alexander Zhuk. Its statute was later amended by presidential decree 19 of 6 January 1999, presidential decree 1999 of 7 September 2010, presidential decree 1631 of 16 December 2011, and presidential decree 308 of 16 March 2012. The Order of Friendship is the direct successor of the Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples and like the latter, its insignia was similarly designed by Alexander Zhuk.
Order of Friendship (obverse)
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge being awarded the Order of Friendship by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 22 November 2011 at the Moscow Kremlin.
Manfred Schmidt, Head of the Department for Crisis Management of the German Interior Ministry, being decorated with the Order of Friendship by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 13 October 2010 at the Moscow Kremlin.
Prince Michael of Kent receives the Order of Friendship from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 4 November 2009 at the Moscow Kremlin. He later returned the honour in the aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Order of Honour is a state order of the Russian Federation established by Presidential Decree No. 442 of March 2, 1994 to recognise high achievements in government, economic, scientific, sociocultural, public, sport and charitable activities. Its statute was amended by decree No. 19 of January 6, 1999 and more lately by decree No. 1099 of January 7, 2010 which defined its present status.
Order of Honour
Reverse of the Order of Honour
Evgeny Mironov, Artistic Director of the Federal State Institution of Culture "The State Theatre of Nations," being awarded the Order of Honour by President Dmitry Medvedev on December 29, 2011.
Anatoly Alexandrov, Rector of the "Bauman" Moscow State Technical University being presented with the Order of Honour by President Dmitry Medvedev on May 3, 2012.