Orders, decorations, and medals of the Soviet Union
Awards, decorations, and medals of the Soviet Union are decorations from the former Soviet Union that recognised achievements and personal accomplishments, both military and civilian. Some of the awards, decorations, and orders were discontinued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while others are still issued by the Russian Federation as of 2024. Many of the awards were simply reworked in the Russian Federation, such as the transition of Hero of the Soviet Union to Hero of the Russian Federation, and Hero of Socialist Labour to Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation. A wide range of Soviet awards and decorations cover the extensive and diverse period of history from 1917 to 1991.
Honorary titles
| Badge and ribbon | Name | Creation date | Description | Number awarded |
| Marshal's Star Маршальская Звезда Maršal'skaja Zvezda | 2 September 1940 | A neck award given to those who were promoted to Marshal rank in the Soviet Union. | ~200 | |
| Hero of the Soviet Union Герой Cоветского Союза Geroj Sovetskovo Sojuza | 16 April 1934 | The highest honorary title that could be given to both Soviet civilians and soldiers for a heroic act. | 12,755 | |
| Hero of Socialist Labour Герой Социалистического Труда Geroj Socialističeskovo Truda | 27 December 1938 | Awarded for exceptional achievements in national economy and culture. | 20,812 | |
| Mother Heroine Мать-героиня Mat'-geroinja | 8 July 1944 | This title was awarded to all mothers bearing and raising ten or more children. It was awarded upon the first birthday of the last child, provided that nine other children remained alive. Children who had perished under heroic, military or other respectful circumstances were also counted. | 454,142 | |
| Honoured Test Pilot of the USSR Заслуженный лётчик-испытатель СССР Zaslužennyj Lëtčik-Ispytatel' SSSR | 14 August 1958 | Awarded to military and civilian test-pilots first class of the civilian aircraft industry and of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, for multiple years of creative work in the field of testing and research of new aviation technologies. | ||
| Honoured Test Navigator of the USSR Заслуженный штурман-испытатель СССР Zaslužennyj šturman-ispytatel' SSSR | 14 August 1958 | Awarded to military and civilian test-navigators first class of the civilian aircraft industry and of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, for multiple years of creative work in the field of testing and research of new aviation technologies. | ||
| Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR Лётчик-космонавт СССР Lëtčik-kosmonavt SSSR | 14 April 1961 | Awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet for the outstanding feat of space flight in the Soviet space program. | 72 | |
| Honoured Military Pilot of the USSR Заслуженный военный лётчик СССР Zaslužennyj voennyj lëtčik SSSR | 26 January 1965 | Awarded to members of military flying units, military agencies, military schools, military organizations and other military or federal authorities, having qualified military pilots first class or military pilot-instructors first class, for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology, high performance in education and training of flight personnel and long-term trouble-free flight operations in military aviation. | ||
| Honoured Military Navigator of the USSR Заслуженный военный штурман СССР Zaslužennyj voennyj šturman SSSR | 26 January 1965 | Awarded to members of military flying units, military agencies, military schools, military organizations and other military or federal authorities, having qualified military navigators first class or military navigator-instructors first class, for outstanding achievements in the development of aviation technology, high performance in education and training of flight personnel and long-term trouble-free flight operations in military aviation. | ||
| Honoured Pilot of the USSR Заслуженный пилот СССР Zaslužennyj pilot SSSR | 30 September 1965 | Awarded to qualified civilian pilots first class for special merit in the development of modern aircraft, in the use of the most advanced piloting techniques, for the highest standards in education and training of flight personnel, for long-term trouble-free flying and for outstanding achievements in the use of aviation in the national economy. | ||
| Honoured Navigator of the USSR Заслуженный штурман СССР Zaslužennyj šturman SSSR | 30 September 1965 | Awarded to qualified civilian navigators first class for special merit in the development of modern aircraft, in the use of the most advanced navigating techniques, for the highest standards in education and training of flight personnel, for long-term trouble-free flying and for outstanding achievements in the use of aviation in the national economy. | ||
| Honoured Inventor of the USSR Заслуженный изобретатель СССР Zaslužennyj izobretatel' SSSR | 28 December 1981 | Awarded for innovative proposals. | 16 | |
| Honoured Blood Donor of the USSR почетньій донор CCCP Pochetn'íy donor SSSR | 24 June 1944 | Awarded to blood donors of the Soviet Union. | ||
| People's Doctor of the USSR Народный врач СССР Narodnyj vrač SSSR | 25 October 1977 | This decoration was awarded for worthwhile contributions to public health improvement. | ||
| People's Architect of the USSR Народный архитектор СССР Narodnyj architektor SSSR | 12 August 1967 | This decoration was awarded for significant results either in urban planning or in the design of important buildings. | ||
| People's Teacher of the USSR Народный учитель СССР Narodnyj učitel' SSSR | 30 December 1977 | This decoration was awarded for worthwhile contributions to the national education system and, mainly, in teaching communism to children and young people. | ||
| People's Artist of the USSR Народный артист СССР Narodnyj artist SSSR | 13 January 1937 | This decoration was awarded for exceptional achievements in performing arts. | ||
| People's Painter of the USSR Народный художник СССР Narodnyj chudožnik SSSR | 16 July 1943 | This decoration was awarded for exceptional achievements in visual arts as painting, sculpture, drawing and photography. |
Orders
Military orders
| Badge And Ribbon | Name | Creation Date | Description | Number Awarded |
| Order of Victory Орден «Победа» Orden «Pobeda» | 8 November 1943 | The Order of Victory was the highest military decoration in the Soviet Armed Forces for World War II service, and one of the rarest in the world due to the small number of recipients. It was established on 8 November 1943 and awarded only to Generals and Marshals for "successful operation within the framework of one or several fronts resulting in a radical change of the situation in favour of the Red Army". Made of platinum, rubies and 174 diamonds, the intrinsic value of the order is considerable. The badge depicts the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin, with Lenin's Mausoleum in front. | 20 | |
| Order of the Red Banner Орден Крaсного Знамени Orden Krasnogo Znameni | 16 September 1918 – 1 August 1924 | The Order of the Red Banner recognised military deeds. Before the establishment of the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner functioned as the highest military order of the USSR. Practically all well-known Soviet commanders became Cavaliers of the Order of the Red Banner. Also awarded to NKVD personnel. | 581,300 | |
| Order of the Red Star Орден Красной Звезды Orden Krasnoj Zvezdy | 6 April 1930 | The Order of the Red Star was given to Red Army and Navy personnel for exceptional service in the cause of the defence of the Soviet Union in both war and peace. Also awarded for 15 years of service prior to the creation of the long service awards. | 3,876,740 | |
| Order of the Patriotic War first class Орден Отечественной войны первой степени Orden Otechestvennoj vojny pervoj stepeni | 20 May 1942 | The Order of the Patriotic War was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisans for heroic deeds during the Great Patriotic War. In 1985 during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, it was decided that all surviving veterans of the war would be awarded either second or first class of the Order. | 2,627,899 | |
| Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class Орден Отечественной Войны второй степени Orden Otechestvennoj vojny vtoroj stepeni | 20 May 1942 | The Order of the Patriotic War was awarded to all soldiers in the Soviet armed forces, security troops, and to partisans for heroic deeds during the Great Patriotic War. In 1985 during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, it was decided that all surviving veterans of the war would be awarded either 2nd or first class of the Order. | 6,716,384 | |
| Order of Alexander Nevsky Орден Александра Невского Orden Aleksandra Nevskogo | 29 July 1942 | To officers of the army for personal courage and resolute leadership. | 50,585 | |
| Order of Suvorov first class Орден Суворова первой степени Orden Suvorova pervoj stepeni | 29 July 1942 | The first class order is awarded to army commanders for exceptional direction of combat operations. | 393 | |
| Order of Suvorov 2nd class Орден Суворова второй степени Orden Suvorova vtoroj stepeni | 29 July 1942 | The 2nd class order is awarded to corps, divisions and brigade commanders for a decisive victory over a numerically superior enemy. | 2,862 | |
| Order of Suvorov 3rd class Орден Суворова третьей степени Orden Suvorova tret'ej stepeni | 29 July 1942 | The 3rd class order is awarded to regimental commanders, their chiefs of staff, and battalion and company commanders for outstanding leadership leading to a battle victory. | 4,012 | |
| Order Of Kutuzov first class Орден Кутузова первой степени Orden Kutuzova pervoj stepeni | 29 July 1942 | The Order Of Kutuzov was created to award commanders of fronts and armies for skilful evasions of enemy attacks and successful counter-attacks. | 669 | |
| Order Of Kutuzov 2nd class Орден Кутузова второй степени Orden Kutuzova vtoroj stepeni | 29 July 1942 | The Order Of Kutuzov was created to award commanders of corps, divisions and brigades for skilful evasions of enemy attacks and successful counter-attacks. | 3,325 | |
| Order Of Kutuzov 3rd class Орден Кутузова третьей степени Orden Kutuzova tеret'ej stepeni | 8 February 1943 | The Order Of Kutuzov was created to award commanders, their chiefs of staff, battalion and company commanders for skilful evasions of enemy attacks and successful counter-attacks. | 3,328 | |
| Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky first class Орден Богдана Хмельницкого первой степени Orden Bogdana Hmel'nitskogo pervoj stepeni | 10 October 1943 | The first class order was awarded to front or army commanders for successful direction of combat operations that led to the liberation of a region or town inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. | 323 | |
| Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd class Орден Богдана Хмельницкого второй степени Orden Bogdana Hmel'nitskogo vtoroj stepeni | 10 October 1943 | The 2nd class order was awarded to corps, divisions, brigade or battalion commanders for a breach of defensive enemy line or a raid in the enemy rear. | 2,389 | |
| Order Of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd class Орден Богдана Хмельницкого третьей степени Orden Bogdana Hmel'nitskogo tret'ej stepeni | 10 October 1943 | The 3rd class medal was awarded to officers, partisan commanders, sergeants, corporals and privates of the Red Army and partisan units for outstanding bravery and resourcefulness leading to a battle victory. | 5,738 | |
| Order of Glory first class Орден Славы первой степени Orden Slavy pervoj stepeni | 8 November 1943 | The Order of Glory, modelled closely upon the Tsarist Cross of St. George, was awarded to non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces, as well as junior lieutenants of the air force, for bravery in the face of the enemy. A person initially received the third degree, and would subsequently be promoted to higher degrees for further acts of bravery. | 2,620 | |
| Order of Glory 2nd class Орден Славы второй степени Orden Slavy vtoroj stepeni | 8 November 1943 | The Order of Glory, modelled closely upon the Tsarist Cross of St. George, was awarded to non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces, as well as junior lieutenants of the air force, for bravery in the face of the enemy. A person initially received the third degree, and would subsequently be promoted to higher degrees for further acts of bravery. | 46,473 | |
| Order of Glory 3rd class Орден Славы третьей степени Orden Slavy tret'ej stepeni | 8 November 1943 | The Order of Glory, modelled closely upon the Tsarist Cross of St. George, was awarded to non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces, as well as junior lieutenants of the air force, for bravery in the face of the enemy. A person initially received the third degree, and would subsequently be promoted to higher degrees for further acts of bravery. | 997,815 | |
| Order of Ushakov first class Орден Ушакова первой степени Orden Ushakova pervoj stepeni | 3 March 1944 | Awarded to naval officers for outstanding achievements in planning and conducting naval operations and for victories in combat resulting from such operations. | 47 | |
| Order of Ushakov 2nd class Орден Ушакова второй степени Orden Ushakova vtoroj stepeni | 3 March 1944 | Awarded to naval officers for excellent direction and successful planning of a sea battle against a numerically superior enemy that results in the annihilation of many forces. | 198 | |
| Order of Nakhimov first class Орден Нахимова первой степени Orden Nakhimova pervoj stepeni | 3 March 1944 | Awarded to naval officers for outstanding planning and execution of operations. | 80 | |
| Order of Nakhimov 2nd class Орден Нахимова второй степени Orden Nakhimova vtoroj stepeni | 3 March 1944 | Awarded to naval officers for outstanding planning and execution of operations. | 467 | |
| Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" first class Орден «За службу Родине в Вооружённых Силах СССР» первой степени Orden «Za službu Rodine v Vooruzhennykh Silakh SSSR» pervoj stepeni | 28 October 1974 | This order was awarded for exemplary service in the armed forces, both during a war and during peacetime. A recipient was first awarded a 3rd class order, then if further deeds were made, the second and the first class. Like the civilian Order of Labour Glory upon which it is modeled, it gave a certain number of material benefits to their owners. | 13 | |
| Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" 2nd class Орден «За службу Родине в Вооружённых Силах СССР» второй степени Orden «Za službu Rodine v Vooruzhennykh Silakh SSSR» vtoroj stepeni | 28 October 1974 | This order was awarded for exemplary service in the armed forces, both during a war and during peacetime. A recipient was first awarded a 3rd class order, then if further deeds were made, the second and the first class. Like the civilian Order Of Labour Glory upon which it is modeled, it gave a certain number of material benefits to their owners. | 589 | |
| Order "For Service To The Homeland In The Armed Forces of the USSR" 3rd class Орден «За службу Родине в Вооружённых Силах СССР» третьей степени Orden «Za službu Rodine v Vooruzhennykh Silakh SSSR» tret'ej stepeni | 28 October 1974 | This order was awarded for exemplary service in the armed forces, both during a war and during peacetime. A recipient was first awarded a 3rd class order, then if further deeds were made, the second and the first class. Like the civilian Order Of Labour Glory upon which it is modeled, it gave a certain number of material benefits to their owners. | 69,576 |