 |
This article is a list of Badges and decorations of the Soviet Union. They were awarded primarily for military service, but also for sports, graduation and community participation. The badges were not only given to award service or achievement, but to inspire loyalty and patriotism to the Soviet regime.
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | Delegate of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR | Awarded to Delegates of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. | |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | Winner of the Socialist Competition | Awarded for winning the Socialist competition. | |
 | Blood Donor (1st Class) Донор СССР (первой степени) | For donating blood. | |
 | Blood Donor (2nd Class) Донор СССР (второй степени) | For donating blood. | |
 | Blood Donor (3rd Class) Донор СССР (третьей степени) | For donating blood. |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | Champion of the USSR (1st class) Чемпион СССР (первой степени) | Awarded to champions of the Soviet Union | |
Champion of the USSR (2nd class) Чемпион СССР (второй степени) | Awarded to champions of the Soviet Union | ||
Champion of the USSR (3rd class) Чемпион СССР (третьей степени) | Awarded to champions of the Soviet Union | ||
 | Record-breaker of the USSR Рекордсмен СССР | Awarded to record-breakers of the Soviet Union | |
 | For the best ascension За лучшее восхождение | Awarded for the best ascension |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
Excellence in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army | Issued to Red Army personnel for excellence before the force was renamed after the Second World War. | ||
 | 10th Anniversary Of The O.G.P.U. | 1927 | Issued to members of the Soviet Political Police. |
5 June 1939 | Issued to service personnel who took part in the Battle of Lake Khasan against Japanese forces. | ||
 | Badge For Bravery And Determination In The Great Patriotic War | 1970 | Awarded to Veterans of the Second World War on the event of the 25th Anniversary of Victory. |
 | Excellent Propagandist Of The M.V.D. | Awarded to M.V.D. personnel for excellent work in propaganda promoting the works of the M.V.D. using various art forms and media. | |
Excellence In The D.O.S.A.A.F. | Issued to D.O.S.A.A.F. personnel for excellence in supporting the armed forces. | ||
 | 50th Anniversary Of The D.O.S.A.A.F. | ||
 | Badge for "Long Cruise" (surface ships) Знак "за дальний поход" | 22 May 1961 original variant (1961–1976) | Awarded to the most distinguished, highly disciplined military and civilian personnel of the Soviet Navy who participated in successful long-range cruises on vessels of the Navy. |
 | Badge for "Long Cruise" (surface ships) Знак "за дальний поход" | 22 May 1961 2nd variant (1976–1987) | Awarded to the most distinguished, highly disciplined military and civilian personnel of the Soviet Navy who participated in successful long-range cruises on vessels of the Navy. |
 | Badge for "Long Cruise" (submarines) Знак "за дальний поход" | 22 May 1961 original variant (1961–1976) | Awarded to the most distinguished, highly disciplined military and civilian personnel of the Soviet Navy who participated in successful long-range cruises on vessels of the Navy. |
 | Badge for "Long Cruise" (submarines) Знак "за дальний поход" | 22 May 1961 2nd variant (1976–1987) | Awarded to the most distinguished, highly disciplined military and civilian personnel of the Soviet Navy who participated in successful long-range cruises on vessels of the Navy. |
 | Badge "Army Air Defense Forces" Знак "Войска ПВО страны" | 31 March 1975 | Awarded to members of the Soviet Army Air Defense Forces for exemplary performance in military duties on air defense alert crews over a period of 5 years. Commanders of air defense units that rated as "excellent" could also be awarded the badge. |
 | Breast badge of Internal Troops "For Distinction in Service" (1st class) ВВМВД Нагрудный знак "За отличие в службе" I степени | 1971 | Awarded to soldiers of the Interior Ministry (BBMVD) of the USSR for initiative, diligence and distinction displayed in the discharge of official duties. |
 | Breast badge of Internal Troops "For Distinction in Service" (2nd class) ВВМВД Нагрудный знак "За отличие в службе" II степени | 1971 | Awarded to soldiers of the Interior Ministry (BBMVD) of the USSR for initiative, diligence and distinction displayed in the discharge of official duties. |
 | Breast badge for "Excellent Border Troop" (1st class) Нагрудный знак "Отличник погранвойск" I степени | 8 April 1969 | Awarded to soldiers, sailors, sergeants and petty officers of KGB Border Troops, or to other soldiers urgently enlisted in assisting the Border Troops, for exemplary performance of duties in the protection of the state border of the USSR, skillful actions to apprehend violators of the border, for displaying courage, perseverance, endurance, excellent performance in combat and political training, and for military discipline. |
 | Breast badge for "Excellent Border Troop" (2nd class) Нагрудный знак "Отличник погранвойск" II степени | 8 April 1969 | Awarded to soldiers, sailors, sergeants and petty officers of KGB Border Troops, or to other soldiers urgently enlisted in assisting the Border Troops, for exemplary performance of duties in the protection of the state border of the USSR, skillful actions to apprehend violators of the border, for displaying courage, perseverance, endurance, excellent performance in combat and political training, and for military discipline. |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | Issued to graduates of the Soviet Union's General Staff College until 1992 | ||
 | Issued to graduates of one of the Soviet Union's staff colleges until 1992 | ||
 | Issued to graduates of the Soviet Union's Staff College of Armored and Motorized Troops | ||
 | Issued to graduates of one of the Soviet Union's military education facilities, officers high schools or military faculties of a civilian high school | ||
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | Excellent Artillery Personnel Отличный артиллерист | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Shooter Отличный стрелок | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Sniper Снайпер | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Tank Crew Personnel Отличный танкист | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Machinegunner Отличный пулемётчик | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Mortar Specialist Отличный миномётчик | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Submariner Отличный подводник | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Torpedo Specialist Отличный торпедист | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Railway Troop Отличник желдорвойск | 21 May 1942 | |
 | Excellent Land Mine Specialist Отличный минёр | 19 August 1942 | |
 | Excellent Combat Engineer Отличный сапёр | 19 August 1942 | |
 | Excellent Medic Отличник санитарной службы | 4 October 1942 | |
 | Excellent Reconnaissance Scout Отличный разведчик | 10 March 1943 | |
 | Excellent Signaler Отличный связной | 3 April 1943 | |
 | Excellent Pontoon Bridge Builder Отличный понтонер | 5 April 1943 | |
 | Excellent Antiaircraft Gunner Отличник ПВО | 30 April 1943 | |
 | Excellent Driver Отличный шофёр | 8 July 1943 | |
 | Excellent Cook Отличнрый повар | 8 July 1943 | |
 | Excellent Baker Отличнрый пекарь | 8 July 1943 | |
 | Excellent Road Builder Отличный дорожник | 8 July 1943 | |
 | Excellent Tractor Driver Отличный тракторист | 10 September 1943 | |
 | Excellent Fire Fighter Отличный пожарный | 22 November 1944 | |
 | Excellence In The Air Force Отличник авиации | 1950 | |
 | Excellent in Military Construction Отличник военного строительства | 21 May 1954 | Awarded to military and civilian personnel of military units and organizations of construction and quartering of troops of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union, for distinction in the performance of official duties, for achieving high results in work, or for active participation in important construction during military operations. |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
Excellence in socialist competition in gold and platinum mining | Awarded to workers in the gold and platinum mining industries for excellent labour. |
| Badge And Ribbon | Name (English/Russian/Translit) | Creation Date | Description |
 | For Environmental Protection За защиту окружающей среды | Issued by the Leninist Young Communist League Of The Soviet Union. |
The Order of the Red Banner was the first Soviet military decoration. The Order was established on 16 September 1918, during the Russian Civil War by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. It was the highest award of Soviet Russia, subsequently the Soviet Union, until the Order of Lenin was established in 1930. Recipients were recognised for extraordinary heroism, dedication, and courage demonstrated on the battlefield. The Order was awarded to individuals as well as to military units, cities, ships, political and social organizations, and state enterprises. In later years, it was also awarded on the twentieth and again on the thirtieth anniversary of military, police, or state security service without requiring participation in combat.
Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union are decorations from the former Soviet Union that recognised achievements and personal accomplishments, both military and civilian. Some of the awards, decorations, and orders were discontinued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while others are still issued by the Russian Federation as of 2023. Many of the awards were simply reworked in the Russian Federation, such as the transition of Hero of the Soviet Union to Hero of the Russian Federation, and Hero of Socialist Labour to Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation. A wide range of Soviet awards and decorations cover the extensive and diverse period of history from 1917 to 1991.
Awards and decorations of Belarus are governed by the Law of the Republic of Belarus on State Awards of 18 May 2004.
The State Award System of the Russian Federation has varied and distinct origins. The first being pre-1917 orders of the Russian Empire re-established after the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, the second is from former Soviet orders that were slightly modified and retained post 1991, we also find many completely new awards resembling Imperial awards in basic design since the reintroduction of Russian heraldry.
The Medal "Veteran of Labour" was a civilian labour award of the Soviet Union established on January 18, 1974 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to honour workers for many years of hard work in the national economy, sciences, culture, education, healthcare, government agencies and public organizations. Although it only had a relatively short eighteen years of existence, it was awarded nearly forty million times. Its regulations were detailed and approved by decree number 5999-VIII of May 20, 1974. Its statute was amended by multiple successive decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on June 8, 1977, then on August 12, 1983 and lastly on December 28, 1987. The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Soviet Militia" was a state commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 20, 1967 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the Soviet Militia, it was mainly awarded to deserving members of the state police. Its statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.
The Medal "For Distinction in the Protection of Public Order" is a state decoration of the Russian Federation retained from the awards system of the Soviet Union established to recognise outstanding service by members of law enforcement bodies or to civilians for courage in assisting law enforcement personnel in their duties.
The Honorary Title "Honoured Military Pilot of the USSR" was a state military award of the Soviet Union established on January 26, 1965, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 3230-VI to recognise and reward excellence in military aviation. It was abolished on August 22, 1988, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 9441-XI.
The Honorary Title "Merited Military Navigator of the USSR" was a state military award of the Soviet Union established on January 26, 1965 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 3230-VI to recognise and reward excellence in military aviation. It was abolished on August 22, 1988 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 9441-XI.
The Honorary Title "Merited Test Navigator of the USSR" was a military and civilian state award of the Soviet Union. It was established on August 14, 1958, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 2523-X, to recognise courage and outstanding service in experimental aviation. Its statute was confirmed on August 22, 1988, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 9441-XI. The title ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The Honorary Title "Honoured Pilot of the USSR" was a state civilian award of the Soviet Union established on September 30, 1965 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 3993-VI to recognise excellence in civilian aviation. It was abolished on August 22, 1988 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 9441-XI.
The Honorary Title "Honoured Navigator of the USSR" was a civilian state award of the Soviet Union established on September 30, 1965 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 3993-VI to recognise excellence in civilian aviation. It was abolished on August 22, 1988 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 9441-XI.
The Honorary Title "Honoured Inventor of the USSR" was a state award of the Soviet Union established on 28 December 1981 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 6277-X to recognise and reward innovations in technology. Its statute was later confirmed on 22 August 1988 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 9441-XI. It ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union and was replaced in 1992 by the Honorary Title "Honoured Inventor of the Russian Federation".
The Honorary Title "Honoured Test Pilot of the USSR" was a state award of the Soviet Union established on August 14, 1958 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 2523-X to recognise courage and excellence of military and civilian test pilots in flight research and testing of aircraft. Its statute was confirmed on August 22, 1988 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 9441-XI. The title ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" was a military decoration awarded in two classes by the Soviet Union and later by the Russian Federation, to deserving military personnel of the Ministry of Defense, of internal troops and of border troops of both the USSR and Russian Federation. It was gradually phased out following the dissolution of the USSR being replaced by various ministerial awards.
The Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" was a military award of the Soviet Union established on May 25, 1979, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. Its statute was later confirmed and slightly amended by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 2523-X of July 18, 1980. It was bestowed to recognise outstanding cooperation between the different services and the different armed forces of the various Warsaw Pact countries or of any other friendly socialist state.
The Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" was a state commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on May 7, 1965 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the twentieth anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Jubilee Medal "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" was a state commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on April 25, 1975, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the thirtieth anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR" was a long service award of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union established on May 20, 1976 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded for twenty-five years of impeccable service to troops of the army, navy, of internal forces and of border troops. Its statute was twice amended by further decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on July 18, 1980 and lastly on January 10, 1984.
The Medal "For Impeccable Service" was a Soviet military award for long service awarded to deserving members of the military personnel of the armed forces of the USSR, of the Interior Ministry of the USSR and of the Ministry for the Protection of Public Order of the USSR, to recognise ten, fifteen and twenty years of faithful and impeccable service to the state.
