Chelyabinsk region Governor Mikhail Yurevich gave out awards on Friday to those who courageously helped to mitigate the consequences of the Feb. 15 meteorite explosion.
"This extraordinary event has shown that even during peacetime one can show valor. Many of you defended our children, took them to safe places and quickly helped the injured," the governor said in a speech before doctors, teachers, carpenters, coaches, and entrepreneurs who jumped in and helped others in the wake of the meteor strike.
Each of them was presented with a framed certificate and flowers. The two youngest rescuers — two young schoolboys Kirill Daineko and Sergei Skripnik — were given honorable mention with special gifts.
Rather than rushing to evacuate their school during the meteor strike, the boys broke a window to help their gym teacher get out of the room she was blocked in. They also rescued the school's cook and a younger student.
The boys said they "were not afraid and do not consider themselves heroes. Anybody would do the same, we were just a little faster."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.