Putin bestows birthday medal on loyal defence chief

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday bestowed a 65th birthday honour on Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, his loyal ally in the Syria conflict and companion on wilderness trips. Putin sent Shoigu birthday greetings and signed a decree awarding him one of Russia’s highest decorations, the “For Merit to the Fatherland” medal in the first degree. Previous recipients of the medal include Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Oscar-winning film…