Official announcements from the Yakut government or media reports

Putin Awards Hero of Russia Title to Yakut Soldier Andrei Grigoriev for Defeating Ukrainian Soldier in Hand-to-Hand Combat, Receives Knife from Aisen Nikolaev

Jan 11, 2025, 12:45 PM

Andrei Grigoriev, a corporal from Yakutia, has been awarded the title of Hero of Russia by President Vladimir Putin. Grigoriev gained recognition after defeating a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier in a hand-to-hand combat encounter, which was widely circulated in a video. The award was officially announced following a meeting between Grigoriev and Aisen Nikolaev, the head of Yakutia, who presented him with a knife as a token of honor. Grigoriev expressed his surprise at the quick decision to award him the title, which he learned about from a call with his brother. This honor is the highest accolade in Russia, reflecting Grigoriev's actions during the conflict.