Mongolian President awards Russians who saved the lives of eight Mongolian citizens

President of Mongolia Natsagiyn Bagabandy has decorated this Friday four Russian citizens with the medals "For Valour" for saving the lives of eight Mongolian citizens.

The tragic incident occurred early in June this year. Employees of the Mongolian company with 100-percent Russian capital Valentin Paushok, Sergei Polikanin, Alexander Safonov and Yuri Semiletov, who were having rest on the bank of the Tola River 150 km away from Ulan-Bator, noticed an UAZ-469 vehicle going into the river at a high speed and sinking.

The Russians immediately rushed to rescue the people drowning in the river at a depth of about 4 metres. They managed to rescue from the quick and cold current of the mountainous river the driver and ten passengers. Unfortunately, despite all their efforts, the lives of three people, including two girls, were not saved.

When giving the awards, the Mongolian President noted that the peoples of Mongolia and Russia were linked together by many years of friendly relationships and cooperation. "You risked your own lives to save the people drowning in the river. I believe that the relatives of the saved persons will be glad to hear about your decoration with the medals," the Mongolian President said.