Putin Awards Russia Today's Simonyan with State Order

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today, received a state award from President Vladimir Putin during a ceremony held in Moscow. The award, the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, was presented in recognition of Simonyan's contributions to journalism and her dedication to Russia. In her acceptance speech, Simonyan expressed her gratitude, stating, "It's always awkward to receive such a high award, especially today, in the same team, as you said, with the girl who covered the soldier and saved him, the medic, with cosmonauts who spent more than a year in orbit." The event underscores the importance placed on media and patriotism within the Russian government.