On the basis of the Decree of the Presidium of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of 2, March 1992 was attributed to the restoration of the Russian military order of St. George and the sign of St. George. However, work on the compilation of the statute and the statute of awards was delayed until the 2000 year. The position of these awards and their description was made only 8 August 2000, on the basis of a presidential decree.
It was originally planned that this award will be given only for the feats of arms shown in battles with an external enemy in defending the Fatherland. However, after the events of the beginning of August 2008, the statute and the status of the award were promptly amended. In particular, since then the award could be awarded for feats during the fighting in the territory of other countries while maintaining or restoring international peace and security. Currently, the St. George crosses can be awarded to the rank and file (soldiers and sailors), sergeant and petty officers, midshipmen, warrant officers and junior officers of the Russian Army. The basis for the award is the courage, bravery and dedication shown in the performance of military duty.
The modern St. George's Cross, like its predecessor, has 4 degrees, of which the first degree is the highest. Rewarding is done only consistently: from the lowest to the highest.
The sign "St. George's Cross" is made in the form of a straight equilateral cross, which has rays extending towards the ends. Its rays, slightly convex on the front side, are edged with narrow edging along the edges. In the center of the award is a round medallion, which contains a relief image of St. George, which strikes a snake with a spear. On the reverse side at the ends of the cross is the number of the award, and in the center of the medallion there is a relief monogram in the form of interlaced letters “C” and “G”. At the same time on the lower beam of the cross, depending on the degree, is the corresponding inscription. An eyelet is located at the end of the upper beam of the cross, which is used to attach the mark through the ring to a standard pentagonal shoe. It is covered with orange moire silk ribbon, on which are placed 3 longitudinal black strips - a well-known St. George ribbon.
The award is made of pure silver, while the signs of the second and first degree are gilded. The size of the award is determined strictly by the distance between the ends of the rays and is 34 mm for all four degrees of the Cross of St. George. Pads of all degrees also have the same size, the width of the strips on them is equal to 24 mm. But there are some peculiarities, since the pads for the signs of the first and third degrees of the St. George Cross have also a bow with flowers of the Order of St. George.
Dmitry Medvedev during the presentation of state awards. Vladikavkaz 18 August 2008 of the year
The insignia of St. George is worn on the left side of the chest. It is located after the orders, but in front of all the medals. If the awarded person already has signs of several degrees, then they are placed on his chest strictly in descending order. For the daily wearing of the mark, special miniature copies of the award were provided. On uniforms, the awarded person may wear St. George's insignia ribbons on a daily basis. Such tapes are arranged on slats with a width of 24 mm and a height of 8 mm. In the middle part, images of golden-colored Roman numerals from one to four are printed on such tapes; the height of the digits is 7 mm. Roman numerals denote the degree of the Cross of St. George to which the bar corresponds.
The first awards with St. George's crosses in the modern Russian stories held in August 2008 of the year. This distinction was awarded to servicemen of junior ranks who showed courage and heroism during the events of August 2008 in the territory of South Ossetia and Georgia. On August 15, on the basis of a presidential decree, St. George's Crosses of the 4th degree received the first 11 soldiers and sergeants of the Russian army. In total, 263 Russian soldiers were awarded with St. George crosses for the differences shown during the peacekeeping operation to force Georgia to peace.
Based on open source materials.