MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid tribute to the Russianmilitary at a ceremony for presenting national awards on the occasion ofthe Defender of the Fatherland Day, the Kremlin has said.

“We honour those for whom military service became a mission and the meaningof life – true patriots, who reliably guard the sovereignty and security ofRussia, and secure the peace of our citizens,” Putin said at the awardceremony held at the Kremlin Palace on Friday, Xinhua reported.

The national awards were presented “to soldiers who have committed a heroicdeed in the name of the Fatherland and to the best units and formations ofthe Army and the Navy”, according to the Kremlin.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia,Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. It iscelebrated on February 23, except in Kazakhstan, where it is celebrated onMay 7.

Putin presented a Gold Star medal of the Hero of Russia to the family ofMajor Roman Filipov, a military pilot who died heroically fightingterrorists in Syria on February 3.

He also awarded the Order of Suvorov to the Red Banner South MilitaryDistrict, the Order of Ushakov to the Admiral Kuznetsov heavyaircraft-carrying missile cruiser, and the Order of Nakhimov to the Guardmissile cruiser Varyag, according to the Kremlin.

The President thanked Russian servicemen who took part in theanti-terrorism operations in Syria, which “displayed heroism, staunchnessand bravery.”

“Our soldiers demonstrated their readiness to solve the most complicatedtasks in Syria: they act bravely, decisively and courageously. They helpedthe Syrian army shatter large, well-equipped terrorist groups,” Putin said.

Russia started participating in the military operation in Syria inSeptember 2015 at the invitation of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. -AGENCIES