Маршальская звезда: символ высшего военного звания.

Soviet and Russian military badge of rank

The Marshal's Star (маршальская звезда) is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the Soviet Union, and subsequently the Russian Federation.

The armed forces of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insignia for higher military ranks, both in the form of a five pointed star of gold and platinum with diamonds. They are worn around the neck when in parade uniform (originally under the collar of the parade tunic, since 1955 on top of the necktie). There are two different sizes of star available, with the official name, size and number of diamonds corresponding to the marshal's rank. Informally they are known as the "Large Marshal's Star" and the "Small Marshal's Star". The official names of the Marshal's Stars have changed over time, depending on which ranks received the right to wear them. The Marshal's Stars correspond with the Western use of the marshal's baton. On the death of the recipient, the award is returned to the Diamond Fund for re use. Marshal's Stars were first awarded to holders of the ranks Marshal of the Soviet Union and Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. In time, smaller stars were awarded to chief marshals of the branch, marshals of the branch, Army Generals and Fleet Admirals.

It is a gold five pointed star with smooth diagonal rays on the front side. In the center is a platinum, five pointed star with diamonds. The diamonds in the center have a total weight of 2.62 carats and in the rays there are 25 diamonds weighing a total of 1.25 carats. Between the edges of rays are 5 diamonds weighing a total of 3.06 carats. The diameter of the gold star is and the platinum stars are in diameter. The star has a depth of
The Marshal's Star has a triangular eyelet in the upper beam which is connected to an oval eyelet measuring The Marshal's Star is suspended by a moire ribbon. The total weight of the Large Marshal's Star is Approximately 200 of this type of Marshal's Star were produced.

In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Large Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for marshals of the Russian Federation from 1993 until 21 January 1997.

The decoration is a five pointed gold star with smooth dihedral rays on the obverse. On top of the gold star there is a smaller five pointed star made of platinum. In the center of the platinum star there is a 2.04 carat diamond. In the rays of platinum star there are twenty five 0.91 carat diamonds. The total diameter of the gold star is and it weighs It is connected to a moire ribbon in the same way as the large star. About 370 Small Marshal's Stars have been produced.

In the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the Small Marshal's Star was the defining insignia for the ranks general of the army and admiral of the fleet. It has been replaced by a cross.

A Marshal of the Soviet Union'''s star used a red satin ribbon suspension; ribbons for marshals of a branch'' varied accordingly: gold for artillery, light blue for aviation, burgundy for armoured troops, crimson for engineers, blue for signals, and turquoise for the navy.