by: Judy Kurtz

Posted by: February 27, 2023 / 7:00 PM EST

Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 5:43 PM EST

(A hill) — Russian President Vladimir Putin honored Steven Seagal with an award for the country’s support for the actor “Under Siege”.

Segal was awarded the Order of Friendship, many news outlets reported on Monday with reference to the Russian government’s Internet portal.

The award was founded in 1994 to “encourage citizens for activities aimed at ensuring the well-being, prosperity and security of Russia.”

The 70-year-old former action star, who was granted Russian citizenship by Putin in 2016, was also appointed Russia’s special representative to the US in 2018.

This honor is being celebrated on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Segal, who was born in Michigan, supported Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine. Last year, he was seen on Russian state television during a visit to a destroyed Ukrainian prison.

by: Judy Kurtz

Posted by: February 27, 2023 / 7:00 PM EST

Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 5:43 PM EST

(A hill) — Russian President Vladimir Putin honored Steven Seagal with an award for the country’s support for the actor “Under Siege”.

Segal was awarded the Order of Friendship, many news outlets reported on Monday with reference to the Russian government’s Internet portal.

The award was founded in 1994 to “encourage citizens for activities aimed at ensuring the well-being, prosperity and security of Russia.”

The 70-year-old former action star, who was granted Russian citizenship by Putin in 2016, was also appointed Russia’s special representative to the US in 2018.

This honor is being celebrated on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Segal, who was born in Michigan, supported Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine. Last year, he was seen on Russian state television during a visit to a destroyed Ukrainian prison.