WAR veterans in the county who have waited more than 70 years for recognition will today get their moment.

The men, who served on the Arctic Convoys in the Second World War, are to be honoured by the Russian Government for their part in defeating the Nazis.

Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the Ushakov Medal to British veterans.

Oxfordshire’s veterans will be among about 20 to receive theirs at Oxford Town Hall today.

Between August 1941, and May 1945, there were 78 convoys involving more than 1,400 merchant ships delivering essential supplies from the UK, Iceland and America to the northern-most parts of Russia.

It was not until December 2012 – following a 16-year campaign – that an Arctic Star medal was established for British Commonwealth servicemen who served on the convoys.

In 2013, the British Government made an exception to the rule forbidding medals from other countries being awarded to its troops for the Ushakov Medal.

The veterans and their families will be joined by the Lord mayor of Oxford Mohammed Abbasi, Oxfordshire County Council chairman Anne Purse and High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Tom Birch Reynardson.

The medals will be presented by Alexander Kramarenko on behalf of the Russian Ambassador.