The Kremlin commissions more than $200,000 worth of medals

12:03 pm, March 31, 2015

The Russian Department of Presidential Affairs has commissioned the production of a badge for the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle with swords. This is the highest Russian civilian and military award for statesmen and public figures who have contributed to the prosperity and glory of Russia.

According to the commission placed on the website of Russian federal acquisitions, the cost of the order amounts to 1.04 million rubles (about $18,000). The commission also includes the production of 400 other orders and awards which amount to 11.5 million rubles (about $198,000). The medals are to be produced by a company called Russian Crafts Center (Tsentr Russkie remesla), which is a subsidiary company of the Department of Presidential Affairs.

Department of Presidential Affairs spokesman Viktor Khrekov confirmed that the Kremlin has indeed commissioned the medals in order to stock up on awards. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has officially refuted speculation that the Order of St. Andrew has been commissioned for President Vladimir Putin.

“The procurement is made in order to stock up on reserves [of medals]. Orders have also been placed for other state awards,” said Khrekov.
Interfax

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is the highest Russian government award, bestowed upon statesmen and public figures who have contributed to the prosperity and glory of Russia. A version of this award, called the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle “with swords,” featuring two crossed swords at the bottom of the image, is given for exceptional military service.

This award was initially ordained in the Russian Empire, was abolished under Soviet rule, reintroduced in 1998. Since 1998, 14 Russians have received the award, as well as Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and ex-president of Azerbaijan Heidar Aliyev.

According to news agency RBC, since 1998 the military version of the award has been awarded only to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who wore the order's badge when he attended Victory Day parade in Sevastopol in 2014.