Putin awarded a State Duma deputy who combined participation in the SVO with a vacation in Turkey

Vladimir Putin presented the stars of Heroes of Russia to participants in the war in Ukraine, among whom was State Duma deputy Dmitry Sablin. He received an award for his participation in a “special military operation” and command of the THUNDER “Cascade” unit. At the award ceremony, Sablin thanked Putin for the return of Mariupol to Russia and noted the merits of the military and volunteers of his brigade. The Agency drew attention to this.

Earlier, The Insider found out that at the height of the war, Sablin vacationed in Turkey several times. According to the airline booking system, he flew to Antalya in October 2022 using a diplomatic passport.

Sablin himself stated that he had been in the SVO zone since March 2022, and in October of the same year he signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense. However, British intelligence claimed that his unit was located far from the front line and used personal protection.

Sablin is one of the richest State Duma deputies, owning restaurants, hotels and an agricultural holding; he also receives significant presidential grants through his organization “Combat Brotherhood”.