REUTERS

According to the state procurement website, the agency will spend nearly RUB 45 million on all the medals: 20,000 medals will be awarded to "the participants of the military operation in Syria," another 50 medals – "for the liberation of Palmyra," and 50 – "for mine clearance of Palmyra," Novaya Gazeta reports.

Read alsoRussian propaganda review: "Visa genocide," "Ukraine full of Nazis"Last year, the Russian Defense Ministry conducted the auction as well. However, some 10,300 medals for the participants of the operation in Syria were required then.

Earlier, on January 12, Fox News reported that Russia deployed four Su-25 at its base in Syria, noting that it happened in spite of the order by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reduce military presence in Syria. 

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