[3] Uncle Styopa is a friendly policeman always ready to rescue cats stuck up trees, and to perform other helpful deeds.

[4] As a 29-year-old in 1942, Mikhalkov's work drew the attention of the Soviet Union's leader Joseph Stalin, who commissioned him to write lyrics for a new national anthem.

At the time, the country was deeply embroiled in World War II and Stalin wanted a more patriotic theme for the national anthem, to replace The Internationale.

Mikhalkov penned words with writer El-Registan (1899–1945) to accompany a musical score by the composer Alexander Alexandrov (1883–1946) that became known as State Anthem of the Soviet Union.

[8] But when Putin's push to restore the old anthem began to pick up momentum, Mikhalkov decided to write new lyrics to go with Alexandrov's score.

On Mikhalkov's 90th birthday in 2003, Putin personally visited him at his home in Moscow to present him with the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class, citing him for his contributions to the culture of Russia.