Italy deprives Russia’s Lavrov, Mishustin of awards

Due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Italian authorities have deprived four Russians of state awards, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Mishustin was deprived of the award of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy, Ukrinform quotes Italian ANSA news service as saying.

In addition, Lavrov, as well as Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and the President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Andrey Kostin were stripped off the state award of the Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy.

The Order of the Star of Italy is the official state award. The order is awarded to Italians living abroad, as well as foreign citizens, for their contribution to the development of friendly relations between Italy and other countries.