Of the thirteen recipients of high Russian decorations, only two recipients returned the decorations – what about the rest?

Of course, it is no secret that there are quite a few recipients of high Russian decorations in our country. Among the recipients, the most prominent is Zoran Janković, the current mayor of Ljubljana. Former Minister of Culture Dr Andreja Rihter (SD), now the director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures, received the award less than two weeks before the start of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.

So far, only two of the recipients of the decorations have returned it. These are former Minister Anja Kopač and Lieutenant Colonel of the Slovenian Army Marko Hlastec. Below we also publish a list of recipients with a note on who has already returned the decorations. Since Miloš Kovačič is already deceased, we mention him only in passing.

List of awarded decorations/state awards or recognitions of the Russian Federation to the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia.

Order of Friendship

1. Dr Andreja Rihter, director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures: Order of Friendship

VRS decision no. 09400-1/2021/3 of February 11^th, 2021

2. Zoran Janković, Mayor of MOL: Order of Friendship

VRS decision no. 09401-5/2016/3 of September 15^th, 2016

3. Anja Kopač Mrak, MDDSZ, Order of Friendship (returned at the end of February 2022). VRS decision no. 09401-5/2016/3 of September 15^th, 2016
5. Marjan Eberlinc, President of the Management Board of Plinovodi Ltd, Order of Friendship

VRS decision no. 09401-8/2012/3 of June 14^th, 2012

5. Jože Colarič, President of the Management Board of Krka: Order of Friendship

VRS decision no. 09401-22/2009/2 of October 1^st, 2009

6. Janez Škrabec, director of Rika: Order of Friendship

VRS decision no. 09401-21/2009/2 of October 1^st, 2009

7. Saša Ivan Geržina, pres. Slovene-Russian Friendship Society: Order of Friendship; VRS decision no. 09401-3/2006/4 of May 11^th, 2006
8. Miloš Kovačič (deceased), former director of Krka: Order of Friendship

Medal of Pushkin

9. Janez Koželj, Deputy Mayor of MOL: Medal of Pushkin

VRS decision no. 09401-5/2016/3 of September 15^th, 2016

10. Prof. Janja Urbas, lecturer at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana: Medal of Pushkin

VRS decision no. 09401-8/2012/3 of June 14^th, 2012

11. Prof. Julija Mesarič, director of the Vesela dRuščina Institute: Medal of Pushkin

VRS decision no. 09401-8/2012/3 of June 14^th, 2012

Gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation

12. Saša Slavc, state award Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation

VRS decision no. 09401-3/2006/4 of May 11^th, 2006

13. Igor Furlan, state award Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation

VRS decision no. 09401-3/2006/4 of May 11^th, 2006

Medal of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (several recipients, among them concerned; records are not kept at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because it is not a state decoration).

14. Commander of the Slovenian Army Guards Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Marko Hlastec, Medal of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (returned in February 2022)