- Time Period: Second World War
- Year of Institution: 10 October 1943
- Country: Russia & USSR
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky (or Орден Богдана Хмельницкого in Russian) was a Soviet award established on October 10, 1943 and named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky, leader of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate.
Zynoviy Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1595-1657) was a Polish–Lithuanian-born Hetman who led an uprising against the Commonwealth and its magnates (1648–1654) that resulted in the creation of a state led by the Cossacks of Ukraine.
The award was first established by the Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the USSR during World War II and discontinued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to Soviet Armed Forces personnel and often the members of the Ukrainian Front for their exceptional duty in combat operations that led to the liberation of Soviet territory.
The Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky was broken down into three different classes: 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class. The 1st class medal is awarded to army commanders, especially at the front, for successful direction of combat operations that led to the liberation of a region or town where they were successful in inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The 2nd class medal is awarded to corps, divisions, brigade or battalion commanders for a breach of a defensive enemy line or a raid into the enemy’s rear. The 3rd class medal is awarded to officers, partisan commanders, sergeants, corporals and privates of the Red Army and partisan units for outstanding bravery and resourcefulness leading to a battle victory.
The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Design
The Order of Bogdan Khmelnytsky is a five-pointed star, made in the form of diverging rays, in the center a shield with the image of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, under star divergent silver rays.
The badge of the Order was designed by artist Alexander Pashchenko and measures 56 mm (1st and 2nd Class) and 45 mm (3rd Class). The materials are: 1st Class in gold 19,3g, silver 26,7g. Weight 42,0g. 2nd Class in gold 6,5g, silver 35,4g. Weight 43,9g. 3rd Class in silver 29,6g. Weight 32,0g.
