Devon veterans honoured with Russian medals

The Russian embassy has honoured over 50 World War Two veterans in Exeter today (Friday 19 December) for their part in transporting crucial supplies to Russia.

Counsellor of The Russian Embassy, Mr Sergey Nalobin, presented Ushakov medals to the men of the Arctic Convoys at a special ceremony at County Hall.

The medal is awarded to sailors who have displayed courage in the course of defending Russia or its interests.

Created by the Allied Powers, the Arctic Convoys sailed through blinding snow storms and darkness under a barrage of attack from German U-boats and fighter planes to deliver vital supplies to the Soviet Union in Northern Russia.

More than 3,000 men died during the maritime campaign that Winston Churchill was said to have called the "worst journey in the world", and by May 1945, the Arctic route had claimed 104 merchant and 16 military vessels.

The Foreign Office initially did not allow Russia to honour the veterans as it broke their rules which do not allow British soldiers to receive a foreign medal if the act happened more than five years ago.

Following a concerted campaign in 2013, they allowed an exception to the rule and President Putin presented the first medals during his visit to London on June 16 2013.