Cities of Military Glory on the map of Russia

The honorary title of the City of Military Glory is awarded on the basis of the city’s inhabitants distinguishing themselves while defending their Motherland. When a city is honored with this title, there is a granite stele installed there, crowned with the coat of arms of Russia, and with cartouches with the coat of arms of the city and the text of the decree granting the award in the lower part of the stele. Around the central obelisk, 4 pylons are placed, with bas-reliefs telling the story of the heroic events for which the city was awarded this distinguished title.

Between April 2007 and November 2012, the title of the City of Military Glory was given to 40 cities of Russia renowned for their defenders, starting with the period of Batu’s invasion, including the Patriotic War of 1812, and also distinguishing themselves by their heroism during the years of the Great Patriotic War. The first to be honored were the three cities – Belgorod, Kursk and Oryol – that are connected with the remarkable and crucial Kursk battle in 1943 and the beginning of the decisive counteroffensive of the Soviet troops. The fortieth city in the list was Khabarovsk – the Russian outpost on the Far East.