Putin Awards Zhukov Medal to Ex-Deputy Convicted of Rape

President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has awarded the Zhukov Medal to Sergey Nikonov, a former deputy from Yakutia, who was previously sentenced to 10 years for rape and assault, reports NewsBox. 

Sergey Nikonov, a former Communist Party deputy from Yakutia, had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the rape and assault of a businesswoman. He was awarded the Zhukov Medal. Nikonov had left the penal colony for the frontlines in July 2024, and within a month, he was injured and returned home.

In December 2024, he was officially released from his sentence, thanks to legislation allowing criminal sentences to be waived for military merits. This award essentially acted as a "ticket" out of prison.