Three Russian cities were entitled City of Military Glory by President Dmitry Medvedev at the Kremlin on Tuesday.
A presidential executive order of Dec. 8, 2009 conferred the titles to Pskov, Kozelsk and Arkhangelsk, "for the courage, steadfastness and mass heroism the defenders of these cities displayed in fighting for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland."
"Russia will always honor the memory of those who defended our nation's independence and who restored it from the ruins during the difficult
post-war period," said Medvedev at the awarding ceremony.
Since 2006, 19 other Russian towns and cities such as Belgorod, Kursk, Orel have been awarded the title, according to the Kremlin website.
Russia will hold its first nationwide Victory Day parade on May 9, 2010 in 17 cities, to mark the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany
during the Second World War.