Vladimir Potanin, President of Interros company, was awarded Order of St. Anna (2nd Class). The Certificate of Merit, signed by Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, Head of the Imperial Family of Russia, says that Mr. Vladimir Potanin was bestowed this honor for his services to the Fatherland and the Russian Orthodox Church.

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The Order of St. Anne is one of the highest decorations in imperial Russia. It was established in 1735 by Duke Charles Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein in honor of his deceased wife, Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great. In 1742, Karl Peter Ulrich, Duke Karl Friedrich’s son, was declared the Russian heir apparent. After arriving in Russia, he presented the Order to several courtiers. On 15 April 1797, his own son, Emperor Paul I of Russia, established the Order as part of the Imperial Russian system of honors.