The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has awarded businessman Yuri Kovalchuk, one of his closest allies, with the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, third class.
According to the presidential decree, Kovalciuk was rewarded for his “significant contribution to the implementation of social projects, the preservation of cultural and historical heritage, and involvement in charitable actions”.
This is the second Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” received by Kovalciuk. In 2021, Putin awarded him the same distinction, fourth class.
Iuri Kovalciuk is considered one of the most influential members of the close circle of the Kremlin leader. In the ’90s, he was part of the “Ozero” cooperative, founded by Vladimir Putin among others. He also created the National Media Group, a holding that controls several important media institutions in Russia, including “Piatîi Kanal”, REN TV, and “Izvestia”. The board of the group is led by Alina Kabaeva, considered close to the Russian president.
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