The key facts

  • The presidential prize for contributions to strengthening national unity was awarded to Ivan Yesin, managing director of the Foundation for Humanitarian Projects
  • The Order of Honor was awarded to Vadim Krasnoselsky, head of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
  • Orders of Friendship were awarded to representatives of Armenia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China and Kyrgyzstan; Pushkin Medals to representatives of Mexico, South Korea, Gambia, Republika Srpska, Belarus and Germany

Ceremony at the Kremlin

On November 4, 2026, on National Unity Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony presenting state awards and a prize for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation. The solemn event took place at the Kremlin, as reported on the Kremlin's website; the same is reported by Gazeta.Ru.

Who received the awards

This year, the presidential prize for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation was awarded to Ivan Yesin, managing director of the Foundation for Humanitarian Projects. The Order of Honor was awarded to Vadim Krasnoselsky, head of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic — earlier, as the outlet notes, Putin assessed the development of Pridnestrovie amid external pressure.

Recipients from abroad

Orders of Friendship were awarded to representatives of Armenia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China and Kyrgyzstan. Among them are Parkev Avetisyan, vice-rector for science at the Russian-Armenian University, Ennio Bordato, president of the Italian charity association 'Help Save the Children,' and Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko, rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto. Pushkin Medals were awarded to representatives of Mexico, South Korea, Gambia, Republika Srpska, Belarus and Germany, including Karolina Gaspar Ramirez, director of the 'Mexico-Russia' House of Culture, Momodu Lamin Mang, honorary consul of Russia in Gambia, and Alexander von Bismarck, head of the Russian-German forum 'Bismarck Dialogue.'

Context of the holiday

National Unity Day is celebrated in Russia annually on November 4. For many, it is above all an extra day off, but the history of the holiday goes back to the early 17th century, when the country was going through one of the most difficult periods of its existence: in 1612, a militia led by Minin and Pozharsky liberated Moscow. More on why November 4 was chosen for the holiday and what traditions are associated with it — in a Gazeta.Ru article.