Russia, Soviet Union. Three Second War Defence Medals

Medal for the Defence of the Soviet Transarctic (Polar Regions) (in brass, measuring 32 mm in diameter, original ribbon, mounted to a five-sided aluminum suspension with pinback); Medal for the Defence of Leningrad (in brass, measuring 32.2 mm in diameter, original ribbon, mounted to a five-sided magnetic metal suspension with pinback); and Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus (in brass, measuring 32 mm in diameter, original ribbon, mounted to a five-sided magnetic metal suspension with pinback). Ranging from fine to better than very fine.

Footnote: The Medal for the Defence of the Soviet Transarctic was a Second World War campaign medal of the Soviet Union. It was established on December 5, 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR. The medals was awarded to all participants in the defence of the Soviet Arctic region: soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defence of the North. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defence of the Soviet Transarctic issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by the Murmansk Regional or Urban Councils of People's Deputies. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal or district military commissioner in the recipient's community, members of the civilian population, participants in the defence of the Soviet Transarctic received their medal from the Murmansk Oblast or city Councils of People's Deputies. For the defenders who died in battle or prior to the establishment of the medal, it was awarded posthumously to the family. The Medal for the Defence of Leningrad was a Second World War campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on December 22, 1942 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, to recognize the valour and hard work of the Soviet civilian and military defenders of Leningrad during the 872-day siege of the city by the German armed forces between September 8, 1941 and January 27, 1944. The medal's statute was later amended by Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on March 8, 1945, and again one last time on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X. It was awarded to all participants in the defence of Leningrad: soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, and also to the persons from the civilian population who took part in the defence of Leningrad during its siege by German forces. The Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of March 8, 1945 granted the petition of Yaroslavl regional organizations to award the medal to the most distinguished participants in the construction of defensive structures in the Leningrad area by the civilian population of the Yaroslavl region. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defence of Leningrad issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal or district military commissioner in the recipient's community, members of the civilian population, participants in the defence of Leningrad received their medal from regional or city Councils of People's Deputies. The medal was issued with an award certificate.

The Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus was established on May 1, 1944 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Its statute was modified by multiple resolutions of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, on May 16, 1944, June 2, 1944, June 5, 1944, March 10, 1945, March 15, 1945, and lastly by decree № 2523-X of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 18, 1980. It was awarded to all participants in the defence of the Caucasus, which included soldiers of the Red Army, sailors of the Navy, troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian population who took part in the defence of the Caucasus during the battle for the Caucasus. Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the defence of the Caucasus issued by the unit commander, the chief of the military medical establishment or by a relevant provincial or municipal authority of the Stavropol or of the Krasnodar Soviets of People's Deputies, of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, of the Azerbaijan SSR, of the North Ossetian ASSR or of the Kabardin ASSR. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal or district military commissioner in the recipient's community, members of the civilian population, participants in the defence of the Caucasus received their medal from regional or city Councils of People's Deputies of the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories Soviets of Workers' Deputies, from the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, of the Azerbaijan SSR, of the North Ossetian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic or from the Kabardin ASSR. For the defenders who died in battle or prior to the establishment of the medal, it was awarded posthumously to the family. The statute of the medal was amended to include members of the civilian population of the Dagestan ASSR, of the Grozny Region, of the Armenian SSR and of the Rostov region, as eligible recipients for their participation in the defence of the Caucasus.