[3] The Medal of Nesterov is awarded to soldiers of the Air Force, of other air arms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and to troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, to aircrews of civil aviation and of the aviation industry for bravery and personal courage displayed in defending the Fatherland and state interests of the Russian Federation, during the performance of combat duties, in exercises and manoeuvres; for excellent performance in combat training and in maintaining readiness of aerial assets, for special merit in the development, operation and maintenance of aircraft, professional excellence in piloting skills, for excellent performance in combat training and air combat training.

On the obverse is the forward-facing bust of Pyotr Nesterov in military uniform wearing tunic, peaked cap and medals, over two laurel branches.

On the reverse, in the upper half, a triple crowned, double-headed eagle with its wings spread out horizontally clutching in its talons a propeller crossing a sword under a flaming grenade.

In the lower half, a letter "N" with an horizontal line reserved for the award serial number.

The mount is covered with an overlapping 24mm wide blue silk moiré ribbon with 3mm yellow edge stripes.