MOSCOW, May 17 – RIA Novosti. Commander of the Central Military District Colonel General Alexander Lapin presented state awards to soldiers who distinguished themselves during the special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the awards were distributed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“Central Military District (CMD) Commander Colonel General Alexander Lapin awarded state awards to soldiers who showed courage during a special military operation,” the ministry said.

The video shows footage of soldiers being rewarded on the field. The Ministry of Defense noted that state awards were awarded to officers and sergeants – military personnel of the air defense forces, artillery and motorized rifles.

Lapin said, “It is a great honor for me to congratulate those who deserve state awards. I want to say a big thank you for your war, your soldier, your hard work, which brings our joint victory closer every minute.” I said.

Awards given to soldiers include the Order of Military Merit and the Order of Merit with Sword for the Fatherland, Suvorov and Zhukov.

Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine on February 24. President Vladimir Putin described his goal as “protecting people who have been subjected to eight years of bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime.” According to him, for this it is planned “demilitarization and gentrification of Ukraine” in order to bring to justice all war criminals responsible for “bloody crimes against civilians” in Donbass.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces attack only the military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops, and as of March 25 they have completed the main tasks of the first stage – they have significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. The main goal in the Russian military department was called the liberation of Donbass.