This is very unusual, and Putin personally ordered him to be awarded the Medal of Merit to the Motherland.
It is worth noting that the time of awarding the medal was on his 60th birthday, which is no coincidence.
Elections are now held everywhere in Russia, and now, along with the awarding of medals, has the new leader been determined?
60-year-old medal recipient
On September 14, 2025, Putin signed a Presidential Decree awarding Dmitry Medvedev, Vice-President of the Security Council, the Fourth Medal of Honour for the Motherland.
According to Russian officials, he was awarded the medal because of his outstanding contributions to the country, society and so on, which is the reward he deserves. This should be regarded as a very ordinary award, but if we look at his award history, it will be unusual.
Russia's National Medal of Merit has four degrees, and the fourth grade medal he now receives is actually the lowest.But don't underestimate Medvedev, he has previously won all three other degrees.
It is estimated that many people have found the problem. According to the award level of medals, they should be from low to high normally, and they should be obtained in an orderly and step by step.
If the medal was awarded at a higher level, it would no longer matter if the medal was actually won at a lower level.But on his birthday, he made up for the lowest-grade medal, which is abnormal and has to be thought-provoking.
Many people say that this is like a form of coronation, which is to add bright spots to Medvedev's political experience again. Awarding him on his birthday shows that Putin attaches great importance to him.
Being valued, experiencing extraordinary
This also leads the outside world to speculate that so much attention is likely to Putin's chosen successor, the future leader is likely to be him. but some also question that after all, Medvedev's age is 60 years old, is it not small, can take on the role?
60 may be the retirement age for most people, but for a politician, this age is just right.If you don't like being old, then Putin is not young now, and he is 72 years old. He has been president of Russia for so long, let alone Medvedev.
Compared with Putin, he is already a very young man. Winning these medals is enough to show that his ability is extraordinary, but what many people don't know is that he also served as the president of Russia and has a very close relationship with Putin.
During the St. Petersburg period, the two became close friends. From the local officials gradually to the center, the two were witnesses to each other.
It is precisely because of this relationship that Putin also has great confidence in him. And in 2008, Medvedev succeeded Putin as a new president. Even after his resignation, he is still in a high position, and is now the Vice-President of the Russian Security Council, responsible for national security affairs.
In terms of the name of the position, although he is not as loud as a country's president, but he has real power in his hands. has always been in the position as a national spokesman, for Russia has always been against Western countries.
Judging from his relationship with Putin and political experience, he is also fully qualified. At the same time of the award, Russia is also staging an election drama.
Elections, Putin's purpose
From September 12 to 14, Russia will hold 21 governor elections and elections to the regional parliament. The current election situation is good for the ruling party, with 19 successful governors all running for the ruling party.
This is enough to show that at present, the power of the ruling party has not fallen aside, and it is still firmly in its own hands. Some people also speculate that the election campaign is also paving the way for future leaders.
However, regardless of the purpose, the movement of this award is indeed huge.
And this situation, which Putin was most pleased with, was not just a medal award, but a political tool.
Putin attaches great importance to loyalty, and if he is unfaithful to himself, even if he has the ability, he will not use it. And through this incident, it will undoubtedly tell the rest of the people that as long as they are loyal and don't betray, you will also have these benefits.
This is not a joke, Putin has always treated traitors not softly. More importantly, even if you are ambitious, you are not not not not. Sulkov was a red man beside Putin, and has also proposed a brand new concept of government for Putin, Putin recognized his capabilities, and once has a lot of power.
But it was because he had problems with his attitude toward Ukraine that he objected to Putin's policy against Ukraine.
To put it bluntly, Putin is afraid of him at this time, and it is naturally intolerable that he has a lot of power and he can't be completely united with himself. It's okay to have ideas, but you can't have ambition and you can't question authority. From this point of view, in fact, it is very difficult to mix in the Russian government.
The award of medals can also increase internal cohesion, after all, at this time there are frequent wars with the outside, and it is not ideal for the domestic because of the economic situation of Western sanctions.
Once civil strife occurs, it is internal and external troubles, and the situation is likely to be out of control.
And the outside world is also a warning and demonstration. Everyone knows that Putin is old and can't be the president of Russia for long. The outside world is also quite curious about who he chooses to be the candidate.
In terms of both the election and the award of the medal, this is equivalent to telling the outside world of Russia that everything is smooth at the moment.
It is also warning the West that even if they step down, better people will take over, warning them not to think about taking advantage of the situation and putting away their careful thoughts.
This is Putin's real purpose, although Medvedev has the ability and hope to be the future leader. But Putin’s side is more than one, and there will be many variables.
Let's wait and see who will win!
References:
Putin awarded Medvedev the highest level "Fatherland Achievement" Medal 2025-09-15
Putin awarded Medvedev the highest level "Fatherland Achievement" medal and congratulated him on his 60th birthday 2025-09-17