Medal of Zhukov

Medal of Zhukov
Medal of Zhukov (obverse)
Awarded by  Russian Federation
Type	State decoration
Eligibility	Members of the armed forces
Awarded for	Bravery, selflessness and personal courage in fighting for the protection of the Fatherland.
Statistics
Established	May 9, 1994
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Ushakov
Next (lower)	Medal of Nesterov
Ribbon of the Medal of Zhukov

The Medal of Zhukov (Russian: медали Жукова) is a state award of the Russian Federation initially awarded to veterans of the Great Patriotic War but now awarded to serving members of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is named in honour of Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov, the most decorated general in the history of the Soviet Union.

The Medal of Zhukov was established on May 9, 1994 by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No 930. The medal's statute was defined on December 30, 1995 by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No 1334. The initial statute of the award stated the medal was to be awarded to military and civilian veterans of the Red Army, the Navy, of NKVD troops, guerrillas and members of the underground, for bravery, fortitude and courage displayed in fighting against the Nazi invaders or the Japanese militarists, and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Georgy Zhukov. The basis for award of the medal was simple proof of direct participation in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 as part of the army, or in combat against Japan. It could also be awarded to servicemen of the Ministry of Defence and other ministries and departments, in which Russian law provides for military service, for courage and bravery displayed in combat operations in defence of the Motherland and the public interests of the Russian Federation.

Although established in Russia, the Medal of Zhukov was later adopted by and also established in all of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States by decision of the Council of the Heads of State of May 26, 1995.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No 1099 of September 7, 2010 completely revamped the Russian state awards system including a new statute for the Medal of Zhukov.

The Medal of Zhukov is now awarded to soldiers for bravery, selflessness and personal courage in fighting for the protection of the Motherland and the public interests of the Russian Federation, for distinction in military bearing during service, for alertness and active participation in exercises and manoeuvres, for excellent performance in combat training.