Russian military’s official journal proposes new awards for assault troops modeled by medals issued in Nazi Germany

A recent edition of the Russian military’s official journal, Armeyskiy Sbornik, includes an article (archived online) that calls on the Defense Ministry to redesign its awards for assault troops and base the new system on medals issued in Nazi Germany. 

In the article, the authors argue that Russia’s Armed Forces face “an urgent need” for distinction badges that commanders can present directly on the battlefield. The article highlights the Wehrmacht’s award system, where “the question of awards was well thought out and carefully controlled.” Specifically, it notes that the Wehrmacht had a departmental distinction badge for assault troops: the Infantry Assault Badge.

“We believe that the high volume of assault operations conducted by forces during the special military operation [sic] in Ukraine necessitates the introduction of a similar departmental badge of distinction […],” the article states.

The authors suggest adopting not only the design of the Wehrmacht award but also the criteria for receiving it, specific to participation in assaults. For example, the Russian Assault Badge would be awarded for achievements in “successful assault actions”: a second-class badge for five to nine such actions, and a first-class badge for 10 to 15 actions.

Armeyskiy Sbornik also published sketches of the proposed badges, which the journal says should be made from gold and silver.