Putin honours Burnt by the Sun director

Russian President Vladimir Putin has honoured the filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, bestowing upon him the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”. Mikhalkov is best known for directing the 1994 Academy Award-winning Burnt by the Sun, which won the prize for Best Foreign Language Film.

According to official documents, Mikhalkov was awarded the Order “for his contribution to the development of Russian culture, cinematic and theatrical art, and his many years of creative activity”.

Mikhalkov received the highest class of the award, a First Class Order, which is the highest civilian decoration of the state.

The director, who is known for his patriotic views and strong support for Putin, has already received Fourth, Third and Second Class Orders.