Putin presents state awards in Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday presented state awards to workers across the fields of culture, art, science, and technology in the Kremlin.

In his opening speech, the president hailed the Russia Day public holiday as a reminder of the how "important" it was for the Russian people "to be united".

Among others, Putin handed the star of the Hero of Labor honor to film director Nikita Mikhalkov and conductor Yuri Bashmet.