The towns received this honorary title for the courage, steadfast spirit, and mass heroism their defenders showed in the fight for their Fatherland’s freedom and independence. Mr Medvedev signed the orders conferring the titles in November 2010.

The President examined the results of the restoration work underway for the city’s 300^th anniversary.

Dmitry Medvedev inspected the main control centre of the plant and the reactor room. The President also toured the construction site of the second stage of the plant and was told about the technologies employed. Two power-generating units are being built there at the moment.

The President was shown a semi-submersible drilling rig under construction at the shipyard for Gazprom subsidiary Gazflot. The drilling rig will be used for offshore drilling and can operate in very low temperatures.

In his remarks at the event, the President said that Nord Stream will make it possible to deliver an additional 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas a year to the European Union countries and represents a real contribution by Russia to Europe’s energy security.