OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 August 2009 was announced, that Vladimir Resin, head of the Integrated Body for Urban Design Policy and Development of Moscow, was awarded the star-shaped order of Saint Aleksandr Nevsky.

According to Aleksandr Volovin, president of Fatherland, the Russian union of non-government organizations, Mr Resin claimed the award for his own contribution to the improvement of urban development, strong qualifications and activities aimed at ameliorating Moscow and Russia.

Mr Volovin added that the order was established by Peter the First in 1724 but it stopped being awarded after the 1917 Russian Revolution. It was reestablished as Russia's highest non-government award in 2002.

“I am obliged and I did not expect to get such an appreciation. It is needed to award not only officials but also foremen, workmen, those who create,” Mr Resin said at the order award ceremony.

“I consider it an advance. A lot of things were done, much more is to be done,” the head of the Integrated Body for Urban Design Policy and Development of Moscow added.