Russian President Vladimir Putin personally awarded the order "Hero of Russia" to 21-year-old soldier Sergei Yarashev, who defended his position alone for 68 days, repelling attacks by Ukrainian forces.

During one assault, Yarashev was the first to enter Ukrainian defensive lines and destroyed their firing positions. After becoming separated from main Russian forces, he spent two months relaying intelligence information and repelling multiple Ukrainian assault groups, while ammunition and food were delivered to him by drone.

His extraordinary endurance and courage made him worthy of Russia's highest individual military decoration - an order rarely awarded to such young soldiers.