The Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (Russian: Орден «За заслуги перед Отечеством», romanized: Orden "Za zaslugi pered Otechestvom") is a state decoration of the Russian Federation.

It is awarded for outstanding contributions to the state associated with the development of Russian statehood, advances in labour, peace, friendship and cooperation between nations, or for significant contributions to the defence of the Fatherland.

Although previously awarded to foreign dignitaries and heads of state such as to French President Jacques Chirac, the 2010 decree abolished this practice making Russian Federation citizens the only possible recipients.

The individuals listed below are among those who have been so honoured:[6] Politicians: Valentina Tereshkova, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Viktor Chernomyrdin, Viktor Zubkov, Sergei Ivanov, Sergey Lavrov, Valentina Matviyenko, Mintimer Shaimiev, Yury Luzhkov, Nikolai Patrushev, Alexander Bortnikov, Boris Gromov, Aman Tuleyev, Eduard Rossel, Sergey Chemezov, Vitali Smirnov, Vyacheslav Lebedev, Veniamin Yakovlev, Valery Zorkin.

Scientists: Zhores Alferov, Yury Osipov, Yuri Trutnev, Mikhail Kovalchuk, Evgeny Velikhov, Viktor Sadovnichiy, Yevgeniy Chazov, Oleg Kutafin.