Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the head of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, with the Order of Alexander Nevsky, according to the Kremlin website.

It is noted that the Order of Alexander Nevsky is awarded "for merits in the development of multilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation and assistance in its socio-economic development."

Earlier, Putin signed a decree on awarding the head of Shebekino administration Vladimir Zhdanov the Order of Courage.

The President also presented the highest state awards to officials and combatants in Ukraine.

In particular, the awards were presented to the head of the Constitutional Court Valery Zorkin, as well as participants in the hostilities in Ukraine Alexander Kolesov, Dmitry Rasputikov and others.

Prior to this, Putin awarded 15 workers for their part in the restoration work on the Crimean bridge, which was damaged in an explosion last year.