Putin's Awards from Soviet Days

[McLenin]

Hi all
A topical question. I believe President Putin was a KGB colonel in the "old days". Anyone know what his Soviet awards were? Even better, any pictures?

McL

[CZ]

Dear Mc Lenin,

I researched a little bit in the www about this topic, but found nothing.

Comrade Putin worked 15 years for the KGB, most of the time in the GDR in contact and collaboration with the STASI, because Putin speaks perfect German (years ago, he wanted to buy a holiday-house here in Austria, but it was not possible, because he had no Austrian nationality).

I think, Putin was not terrible successful: Berlin Wall ....

So he might have got only the two very important medals you see here attached from the Soviet Union.

Regards from Vienna

[tinmoldova]

As a KGB vet, he would most likely have been awarded the distinguished service medals with the Roman numerals (KGB-issue) on the bottom center.

[Tal Inbar]

Why don't you email the question directly to president Putin? (it's no joke...)

http://www.gov.ru/main/mail_en.html

Is here:

http://194.226.82.50/

[REDMAXIM2001]

Nobody will ask him to return this medals inmediatly???

Red Max

[tinmoldova]

Such meritorious service medals are allowed on post-USSR uniforms. Thus, he can still wear them if he desires.

[REDMAXIM2001]

Nobody will ask they change that damned rule???

Interesting info, Tinmoldova, but I can´t remember Putin dressing uniform. Could he wear them in civilian clothes?

Red Max.

PD: Widely. Is it allowed wear medals or orders in civilian clothes?.

Thanks


Red Max

[tinmoldova]

For political reasons at the very least, he would never wear his USSR/post-USSR awards on his civilian clothes. For most Russians, doing so would recall the very negative images of Brezhnev's self-aggrandizement while he was General-Secretary. Currently, you see veterans wearing their awards rarely, usually only on Victory Day. It is much more common, however, to see them wearing their ribbon bars everyday on their jackets. WWII veterans still get some benefits from the State--i.e. free trolleybus travel so there are economic reasons for them to still wear their awards.

[REDMAXIM2001]

I like the info so much.

I wear sometimes some of my items (only Screwbackeds) particularly O Red Banner & O Red Star. I do it like an emotioned remembrance to those peoples that freed us from nazi-fascism.

It was a pain that Spain were not in central Europe, ´cause here was a nazi dictator Gen Francisco Franco ruling from 1937 to 1975. Much more blood-lover than Benito Mussolini, much more than a little fhürer, but Catholic.

At now, in 2002, much of our Goverment ministers are sons of the Franco ministers.

Thank for info, Tinmoldova.

Red Max

[McLenin]

Hi all
Thanks for the replies concerning Putin. I looked on the web too to try and find out something but got nowhere. It must still be a state secret

But he MUST have got something during his time in the KGB. At least a good behaviour Red Star? If anyone finds out please let us all know.

bye
McL