Order of Military Merit (Russia)
The Order "For Military Merit" is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established by presidential decree No. 442 of March 2, 1994 to reward military excellence. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999, by decree No. 19, then on September 7, 2010, by decree No. 1099 which modernised the entire Russian awards system and finally on December 16, 2011, by Presidential Decree No. 1631.
Order "For Military Merit" (obverse)
Captain 2nd grade Oleg Kovalev being awarded the Order "For Military Merit" by President Dmitry Medvedev on December 19, 2010. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)
CEO and Chief Designer at Production and Design Association Victor Tyatinkin, just awarded the Order "For Military Merit" by President Dmitry Medvedev on May 3, 2012. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)
Order of Courage (Russia)
The Order of Courage is a state decoration of the Russian Federation first established on March 2, 1994, by Presidential Decree 442 to recognise selfless acts of courage and valour. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999, by Presidential Decree 19, again on September 7, 2010, by Presidential Decree 1099, and finally on December 16, 2011, by Presidential Decree 1631. The Order of Courage nominally replaced the Soviet Order "For Personal Courage" in the post-USSR Russian awards system.
Order of Courage (obverse)
Lt. Col. Lebed, Hero of Russia, Knight of the Order of St. George 4th class and 3 time recipient of the Order of Courage, greeting Russian President Medvedev on April 4, 2011
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to Naval Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kistanov on July 4, 2010, for his actions during the retaking of the Russian tanker MV Moscow University from Somali pirates
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarding the Order of Courage to EMERCOM mine rescue detachment commander Valery Zelyakov on May 3, 2012