MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin has bestowed a Russian Hero's Star on Vladimir Kovtun, who was a member of the group which conducted a special operation in Afghanistan in 1987 and seized a Stinger man-portable air defense system.
Getting hold of the system enabled the Soviet Union to improve its own air defense systems and make adjustments to the avionics and security systems on Soviet combat aircraft.
"Special forces honorably fought and won in many hotspots. A textbook-worthy example of top professionalism, audacity and bravery was an operation in Afghanistan by a group which managed to seize the most advanced (in those days) man-portable air defense system, thereby saving many lives of our pilots, soldiers, officers. Among members of that legendary group was Vladimir Pavlovich Kovtun. Today I will be glad to present him with the well-merited Star of the Russian Federation Hero and also awards to other servicemen who distinguished themselves," Putin said at a ceremony in honor of the Special Operations Forces' Day.