Medal "Defender of a Free Russia"

Medal "Defender of a Free Russia"
Medal "Defender of a Free Russia" (obverse)
TypeState decoration
Awarded forCourage in defending the constitutional order during the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, for merit in the implementation of democratic transformation, economic and political reforms
Presented byRussia
EligibilityRussian citizens and foreign nationals
EstablishedJuly 2, 1992
First awardAugust 19, 1992
Final awardJuly 25, 2006
Total1994
Total awarded posthumously12
Ribbon of the Medal "Defender of a Free Russia"
Precedence
Next (higher)Medal of Pushkin
Next (lower)Medal "For Distinction in the Protection of Public Order"

The Medal "Defender of a Free Russia" (Russian: Медаль «Защитнику свободной России») is a state award of the Russian Federation. It was created on July 2, 1992 by Law of the Russian Federation № 3183-I in the wake of the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt in Moscow to recognise the courage of the civil resistance members.