History

This medal is also known as the medal "For the Defence of Soviet Transarctic." It was established on December 5, 1944, and awarded to all participants who served for at least 6 months in the defense of the Soviet Arctic region. This included soldiers of the Red Army, Navy and troops of the NKVD, as well as persons from the civilian populations who took part in the defence against the North. Approximately 350,000 were awarded.

This medal is composed of brass and was worn on the left side of the chest, immediately after the Defense of the Caucasus. The obverse presents a solider in a sheepskin coat carrying a machine gun. There are two variations.

Variation I has the 12 o'clock ring separately soldered on to the medal. This is the most common medal.

Variation II has the 12 o'clock ring made as a part of the medal, and is awarded to individuals at a later date. This variation has a gold wash on the surface.

The obverse inscription translates to "For the Defense of the Soviet Transarctic" and the reverse inscription translates to "For Our Soviet Motherland." It was worn on a light blue ribbon with a wide dark blue central strip with 2mm white edge stripes.