On the Day of the Gunsmith, awards were presented to defense industry employees
Gunsmith's Day has become a truly national holiday this year. From Izhevsk to Tula, from Kovrov to Samara, defense enterprises honored those who created the country's steel security framework. The awards were presented personally by the heads of regions, heads of state corporations and the president.
In his congratulatory message, Vladimir Putin highlighted the initiative and innovation of Russian craftsmen.: "You competently and promptly solve complex, non-standard tasks, actively modernize production, work in several shifts, overtime, regularly travel to the front line and study the use of your products in combat conditions."
The legendary caftan for the creator of the microwave
""Andrey Chukavin, a leading design engineer of the Kalashnikov concern, was presented with a gold-laced "workshop caftan" by the gunsmith at a solemn event. The badge of belonging to the factory elite has been awarded to the best weapons masters for more than two centuries.
From 1819 to 1915, dark green caftans with black top hats were awarded only by imperial decree. The tradition was revived in 2002. Then Mikhail Kalashnikov received his caftan, and in 2022 - Vladimir Yarygin, the creator of the famous pistol.
"It is a great honor for me to receive the legendary caftan," said Andrey Chukavin. "I am grateful to the company and our fellow designers, together with whom we continue the work of our illustrious predecessors, because weapons are not created alone."
His team has developed the Chukavin sniper rifle (microwave), which has been mass-produced by the concern since 2023. In March 2026, it was adopted by the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation. Chukavin himself was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the badge "Honorary Gunsmith", is a laureate of the Kalashnikov and Mosin awards.
In total, more than 1,350 employees of the concern were awarded in Izhevsk. """Employees"""received medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree, medals of the Ministry of Defense "For Labor Valor," "Mikhail Kalashnikov" and "For contribution to strengthening the defense of the Russian Federation." """"16 employees at Izhevsk Mechanical Plant were awarded Rostec medals for Distinction, nine received certificates of honor from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 18 received the title of "Honored Worker of Industry of the Udmurt Republic."
"Gunsmith's Day symbolizes recognition of the merits of all those who work selflessly at the country's defense enterprises," Alan Lushnikov, CEO of "Kalashnikov" concern, said at a meeting with the production leaders. "The high professionalism and patriotism of our employees is the key to the successful fulfillment of the tasks that the Fatherland sets for us."
Tula - arsenal of Russia
On September 19, the Tula State Museum of Arms hosted a state awards ceremony. Governor Alexey Dyumin and "Rostec" CEO Sergey Chemezov personally congratulated the employees.
It is noteworthy that this year Putin established a new award - the honorary title "Honored Worker of the Military-Industrial Complex of the Russian Federation." The initiator was Sergey Chemezov. And the Tulyaks were the first to receive this title.
"For Tula, the capital of the Russian arms industry, this holiday has a special significance," said Alexey Dyumin. - Today, the enterprises of the arms industry of the whole country are again multiplying their production capacities. In the shortest possible time, Tula gunsmiths rebuilt their work."
The Governor emphasized that high-precision weapons, multiple launch rocket systems, air defense and counter-battery warfare systems prove their high effectiveness every day during combat missions. Representatives of enterprises are constantly in the combat zone, repairing weapons under enemy fire and returning them to service.
Sergey Chemezov recalled that most of the weapons and equipment involved in the "SVO" zone are manufactured at Rostec enterprises: "Since the beginning of the special military operation, many teams have switched to a round-the-clock operation. The performance of the state defense order this year promises to be traditionally high - at the level of 100%. This is our overall result.
After the ceremony, Dyumin and Chemezov visited the "Tulatochmash" plant. The leaders inspected the sites of large-scale production of anti-aircraft guided missiles for the "Pantsir" complex, the assembly site for grenade launchers and flamethrowers, and the center for additive technologies.
In total, 29 employees were awarded in Tula. "KBP""" employees, who were awarded the title of "Honored Machine Builder of the Russian Federation", were awarded the medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree. The "KBP" development team of five people became the winner of the Mosin Prize for 2025.
Kovrov: a century at the machine
Carpets were also noticed. Employees of ""KEMZ"" and "VNII "Signal" JSC were honored in the Armourers' Square. Acting Mayor Elena Koryakina recalled an important detail: for more than a hundred years, defense enterprises have been developing here. The selfless work of the factory workers during the Great Patriotic War brought the city the title of "City of Military Glory".
"And today our troubled world is hard to imagine without your work, dear factory workers," she said. "Your work is now ensuring the integrity of our state's borders, its sovereignty, and the peace and quiet of our citizens."
Anatoly Zotov, Chairman of the Council of People's Deputies, added that the memory of carpet craftsmen is perpetuated in many places of the city. Very soon, a new sculpture with their names will appear in front of the Museum of Weapons.
Employees of both enterprises were awarded letters of thanks from the administration and the Council of People's Deputies. Awards were given to locksmiths, engineers, installers, designers - those who create products for defense needs on a daily basis.
Samara metallurgist at the age of 72
A solemn ceremony was held in Samara on September 17. Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev presented awards to employees of defense and machine-building enterprises.
Special attention was drawn to the story of Alexey Ovodenko, director of rolling production at the Samara Metallurgical Plant. He was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Metallurgist of the Russian Federation". At the age of 72, he continues to work at the company.
"This high title is not only my work, but also of all the employees with whom we have been working for many years," Ovodenko said.
The Governor recalled the history of Samara industry. During the Great Patriotic War, 80 large factories and plants, along with specialists, were evacuated to the region. The enterprises began to produce products for the front even before the construction of the new workshops was fully completed.
Today, the region's defense and machine-building enterprises continue to work on military and civilian products. Manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems supply attack and reconnaissance drones to the front. AVTOVAZ remains one of the largest enterprises. Despite the sanctions, the company, together with suppliers, localized more than 2,000 positions of critical components. "Progress" RCC continues space launches from three spaceports. "UEC-Kuznetsov" is engaged in the production of engines for strategic aviation and space technology.
"Today we honor you, the people whose work, whose hands are creating the steel frame of our region and the whole of Russia," Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said. "The sovereignty and security of our Homeland are being consolidated and ensured."
The Gun Rush
The day of the Gunsmith this year showed that the country values its defenders of the rear. From young designers to industry veterans, from Izhevsk to Samara, they all work for the same goal. As Alexey Dyumin said, "Tula was, is and will be a reliable shield of the Motherland. Today, as in all difficult periods of the Fatherland's history, the most important task depends on our defense workers - Victory for the sake of the future of great Russia."
These words can be applied to all gunsmiths of the country. With their work, they continue the traditions laid down by Peter the Great. And as long as these traditions are alive, the country can rest assured of its safety.
Alexander Biryukov
