Marshal's Star

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The Marshal's Star (Russian: Mаршальская Звезда) is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the USSR, and subsequently the Russian Federation. It is a five-pointed star made of gold and platinum and set with diamonds, and is worn around neck when in parade uniform (originally under the collar of the parade tunic, since 1955 on top of the necktie.

The official name, size and number of diamonds correspond to the marshal rank's seniority.

Marshal's stars were first awarded to Marshals of the Soviet Union and Admirals of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. In time, smaller stars were awarded to "Marshals of an Arm of Service" and "Chief Marshals of an Arm of Service", Admirals of the Fleet and (later) Generals of the Army.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's, the ranks of Marshal and Chief Marshal were abolished, and the Marshal of the Russian Federation remains the sole rank entitled to such a decoration. Retired marshals, chief marshals, army generals, and fleet admirals, however, were allowed to retain their former ranks and their corresponding stars.

There are presently no holders of the ranks of Marshal of the Russian Federation or Admiral of the Fleet of the Russian Federation in the modern Russian armed forces.