Shoigu: during the special operation, 120 people became Heroes of Russia

During the special operation, more than 100,000 people received state awards, 120 of them became Heroes of Russia. This was announced by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during an expanded meeting of the collegium of the Russian Defense Ministry.

“More than 100,000 people were awarded state awards, 120 of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation,” — declared minister.

He noted that in the course of the special operation, the servicemen show courage, steadfastness and selflessness.

During his speech at a meeting of the board of the defense department, Russian President Vladimir Putin also noted heroism of the Russian military. “You are fighting, I am not afraid of these comparisons, these are not grandiloquent words, just like the heroes of the war of 1812, the First World War or the Great Patriotic War,” the head of state said.

The day before, on December 20, the ceremony of presenting state awards was held in the Kremlin. During it, Putin handed over gold stars to two Heroes of Russia – Senior Lieutenant Stepan Belov and Major Konstantin Shirokov. Another 12 citizens of the Russian Federation received the honorary title “Hero of Russia” on the eve of Heroes of the Fatherland Day. On December 8, the Russian president also presented them with gold stars.

Putin has repeatedly said that he considers all servicemen participating in the special operation to be heroes. “I also want to address those who are on the front lines: for me, for all our fellow citizens, each of you is a hero,” said on December 8 during the ceremony of awarding the Gold Star medals to the Heroes of Russia.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia, and on October 19 martial law was introduced in the regions.