On Monday, June 27, President Vladimir Putin awarded the title of Hero of Russia posthumously to Senior Lieutenant Alexander Popov.
The corresponding decree of the head of state is published on the Kremlin website.
“For courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty, to award the title of Hero of the Russian Federation to Senior Lieutenant Popov Alexander Nikolaevich (posthumously),” the document says.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Popov's platoon, as part of a battalion tactical group, performed the task of covering the positions of Russian troops, when Ukrainian nationalists attempted a breakthrough in order to further enter the rear of the units of the Russian Armed Forces.
During the clash, Oleksandr killed nine Ukrainian militants with a shot from an ATGM installation and continued to fight with the nationalists, even though he was wounded.
“The unit under the command of senior lieutenant Alexander Popov inflicted significant damage on the armed formations of nationalists: more than 20 militants and seven armored vehicles were destroyed, after which the enemy retreated.
Performing military duty to the last, showing courage and heroism, Alexander Popov, at the cost of his life, ensured the retention of a strategically important line.
Thanks to the bold and resolute actions, selflessness, courage and courage of Senior Lieutenant Alexander Popov, it was possible to hold back the onslaught of superior enemy forces, repulse repeated enemy attacks and prevent the breakthrough of defensive lines, ”the ministry said in a statement.
© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Earlier this month, Senior Sergeant Mergen Dongak was awarded the title of Hero of Russia by presidential decree for his courage and heroism during a special military operation to defend the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
The unit, which included Dongak, was supposed to control the crossing to ensure the rapid advance of Russian troops deep into the territories controlled by Ukrainian nationalists.
The enemy, who had superior numbers, made an attempt to disrupt the offensive.
During the battle, Mergen took out the platoon commander, who was seriously wounded, from under fire, after which he took command.
“The platoon under the command of senior sergeant Mergen Dongak successfully repelled all attacks of superior enemy forces.
At the same time, 15 nationalists were destroyed, as well as two nomadic pickup trucks with mortars.
The surviving militants fled.
After the battle, Mergen ensured the evacuation of the platoon commander to a special-purpose medical detachment, which saved his life, ”the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
It should be noted that the first to be awarded the title of Hero of Russia since the beginning of the special operation was the commander of the airborne assault company of the Guards Airborne Assault Division (mountain) Senior Lieutenant Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov.
A hereditary officer, a native of Dagestan, died on February 24 during a clash with superior enemy forces, who opened fire to kill, using civilians as human shields.
Gadzhimagomedov continued to fight with the Ukrainian neo-Nazis, despite being seriously injured, he blew himself up and the militants surrounding him with a grenade.
© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
On March 3, Vladimir Putin, during a meeting of the Security Council, indicated that Nurmagomed took such a step, realizing "with whom he is dealing - with neo-Nazis who mock prisoners and brutally kill them."
“I am a Russian person, and, as they say, my family is around Ivana and Marya.
But when I see examples of such heroism as the feat of a young guy Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov - a native of Dagestan, a Lak by nationality, our other soldiers, I want to say: I am a Lak, I am a Dagestan, I am a Chechen, Ingush, Russian, Tatar, Jew, Mordvin, Ossetian ... It is simply impossible to list all of the more than three hundred national groups and ethnic groups of Russia - I think you understand me - but I am proud that I am part of this world, part of the mighty, strong, multinational people of Russia, ”the president emphasized.
Also, the title of Hero of Russia was awarded to: Lieutenant Baldan Tsydypov, deputy commander of an attack aviation regiment, lieutenant colonel Dmitry Litvinov, navigator of a fighter aviation regiment, Major Viktor Dudin, State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov, commander of an anti-aircraft missile battalion Alexei Pankratov, colonel Alexei Bernhard, tank company commander Captain Alexei Lyovkin , commander of a tank company of a separate coastal defense brigade, senior lieutenant Anton Starostin, deputy commander of the OMON of the Russian Guard, police colonel Andrei Frolenkov, head of the Vityaz special purpose center, colonel Alexander Beloglazov, senior sergeant Yuri Nimchenko, contract service corporal Damir Gilemkhanov (posthumously), major Sergei Panov (posthumously), lieutenant of the Russian Guard Maxim Kontsov (posthumously), lieutenant colonel of the Armed Forces of the DPR,battalion commander "Sparta" Vladimir Zhoga (posthumously).