The ceremony of presenting of State awards of the Russian Federation took place on May 23 in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin.
Outstanding Russians, including cosmonauts from the Roskosmos, received awards and honorary titles.
“Space industry always open up the advanced innovations in science and technology ,” said Vladimir Putin. – It is promoted by dedicated people. Many of them participate in orbital flights, perform difficult tasks. The cosmonaut’s profession has become familiar, but still remains, without any doubt, heroic. ”
The govermental awards were presented for Russian cosmonauts Fedor Yurchikhin (who made five expeditions to the ISS and nine spacewalks), Andrey Borisenko and Oleg Novitsky (who performed two space flights each).
