The honorary title 'City of Military Glory' (Gorod voinskoi slavy) was instituted by federal law of 9 May 2006 nr. 68-FZ. Article 1 of this law reads:

The title 'City of Military Glory' is awarded to cities of the Russian Federation, on whose territory or in whose immediate proximity the defenders of the fatherland displayed courage, steadfastness and mass heroism in the fight for freedom and independence of the fatherland in the course of bitter battles, including the cities of the Russian Federation that are awarded the title 'Hero-City'. The conditions and order of awarding the title 'City of Military Glory' to cities of the Russian Federation are laid down by the president of the Russian Federation."

A part of the second article reads:

"In a city that is awarded the title 'City of Military Glory':
1) a monument is erected with the city's coat of arms and the text of the decree of the president of the Russian Federation about the awarding of this title to the city;
2) public measures will be taken and holiday salutes are fired on 23 February (Day of the Defender of the Fatherland), 9 May (Victory Day), and also during the Day of the City."

The first three awardings of the honorary title took place on 27 April 2007 by president Putin in the Kremlin. With all awardings the mayor or another senior city official receives a certificate from the Russian president in the Kremlin.