London has denied Moscow permission to honor UK veterans of the WWII Arctic Convoys by presenting them with the prestigious Ushakov Medal.

      The order about awarding foreign veterans with the Ushakov Medal for exceptional contributions to Allied war efforts during WWII was signed by then-President Medvedev in April 2012. The medal is named after Russia's legendary Admiral Fyodor Ushakov and was first awarded by the USSR in 1944.

      In May 2012, Moscow officially asked London for permission, presenting 813 letters from the veterans to Britain’s Foreign Office, as UK law only allows British citizens to receive foreign medals if the British government gives them permission.

      However, the UK Foreign Office said the information presented ‘does not describe any relevant service specific to Russia within the last five years'. That decision may be changed if the Russian diplomatic service provides details of veterans who satisfy to the five year criteria.

      Russian Foreign Ministry expresses deep regret about UK government's decision, as well as British Arctic Convoy veterans groups.

      In May 2012 the medals were already given to a group of veterans from several nations, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.