
Russia: Putin hosts family of Far East flood victim
Russia: Putin hosts family of Far East flood victim
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the family of a Far East flood victim on board his presidential plane while travelling to Khabarovsk to make his address to the nation on New Year's Eve.
Putin dined with the family of junior sergeant Bair Banzaraktsasev while flying over Russian airspace, and presented them with gifts, with Bair's youngest son receiving a remote control car.
Banzaraktsasev died while taking part in a rescue operation during heavy floods in the Russian Far East last year. He drowned as his truck sank in high waters. At the New Year's celebrations in Khabarovsk, Putin also presented Bair's widow, Irina, with the Medal 'For Courage', awarded to her husband posthumously.

Russia: Putin hosts family of Far East flood victim
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the family of a Far East flood victim on board his presidential plane while travelling to Khabarovsk to make his address to the nation on New Year's Eve.
Putin dined with the family of junior sergeant Bair Banzaraktsasev while flying over Russian airspace, and presented them with gifts, with Bair's youngest son receiving a remote control car.
Banzaraktsasev died while taking part in a rescue operation during heavy floods in the Russian Far East last year. He drowned as his truck sank in high waters. At the New Year's celebrations in Khabarovsk, Putin also presented Bair's widow, Irina, with the Medal 'For Courage', awarded to her husband posthumously.