Ushakov: Latest known

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The latest news regarding Ushakov that we are aware of:

The update on the Ushakov medal is at the end of this short, but poignant video compilation:

LINK

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The message reads:

The Russian Government made their wish to award the British veterans of the Arctic Convoys with the Russian Naval bravery medal of Ushakov, public in 2011.

The British Government first refused to accept the Ushakov medal, mainly due to the embarrassment of not allowing the Arctic Convoys campaigns to be recognised as worthy of a British Star medal. There were other clerical excuses made to justify their refusal.

Eventually, at the end of 2012, intervention by Her Majesty The Queen swayed the Government to approve the Arctic Star as a stately award for the British veterans.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President’s Administration are still struggling with the process of awarding the Ushakov medal to the British veterans.

This is due to the multi-layered bureaucratic structure of establishment with very few responsible decision makers.

We hope that the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, will acknowledge the efforts of the British Navy and the Russian Navy veterans in keeping alive the historic friendship between Great Britain and Russia.

We now hope that the President will instruct his Government to fulfil their duties as was made possible in May 2013 at No. 10 Downing Street, when the President awarded the Ushakov medal to several British veterans.

If that was possible at short notice then, it is possible now – before more veterans pass away!

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2014 has been declared a Russia-UK Year of Culture with plans for more than 250 events.:

Russian ambassador to London praises 'active dialogue' and trade links - 6 January.

The Russian Federation's ambassador to the United Kingdom Alexander Yakovenko has said that the normalisation of political dialogue between Russia and the UK has become a steady trend. He said there had been a significant growth in trade and economic co-operation, particularly in the energy sector.

More at LINK: voiceofrussia.com/uk/news/2014_01_06/Russian-ambassador-to-London-praises-active-dialogue-and-trade-links-7105/

Possibly good news for our veterans:

He said: "The historical and emotional dimension of our relationship is of crucial importance. Having established the Arctic Star medal, Britain granted permission for its veterans of the Arctic Convoys to be awarded the Russian Ushakov Medal. In 2014 our countries will take part in events to mark the centenary of the First World War, in which we were also allies".

Source: (Voice of Russia, Russia Today)

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VIA Facebook: www.facebook.com/UshakovMedalWorldWarIi "After making various phone calls and sending e-mails my wife e-mailed Russian-Uk Bilateral Relations and got the following reply on 09.01.14 'It is a first working day in Russia after the New Year and Orthodox Christmas holiday period and we are unaware of any progress on the awarding process at the moment. The Embassy will try to receive an update on the situation from our colleagues in Moscow in the nearest time. As we already assured you we will contact everybody as soon as we have news.' My wife's dad is 88 and in poor health so she is not letting up and has pointed out to them that all of those entitled to receive this medal were originally informed by the Russian Embassy themselves so what can the problem be? There can only be a few of these special people remaining not the 3000 they claim they are having to sort through. She also pointed out that they were able to present some medals during President Putin's visit to Downing Street in June and further medals in Moskow in December so why the delay for the rest of them. The documentary on PQ17 recently shown has brought it home to all of us just how brave and special these men were. We must keep fighting".

LINK

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Ushakov Medal. In 2014 ?

The historical and emotional dimension of our relationship is of crucial importance. Having established the Arctic Star medal, Britain granted permission for its veterans of the Arctic Convoys to be awarded the Russian Ushakov Medal. In 2014 our countries will take part in events to mark the centenary of the First World War, in which we were also allies.

LINK

2014 has been declared a Russia-UK Year of Culture, something has to happen ?

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Eugene Kasevin Founder & Organiser at Victory Day London has stared: "The Russian Embassy in London have already done everything they had to do and could do for the Ushakov Medal. The process has stalled in Moscow between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President's Administration. Until Mr. Putin signs off a relevant piece of paper NOTHING will happen. FULL STOP!"

Victory Day London FB LINK