Vladimir Shubin was awarded Zimbabwe's highest state honour for foreign citizens.

On 11 August 2025, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa presented Vladimir Gennadievich Shubin, Chief Research Fellow at the Centre for History and Cultural Anthropology, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, with the Royal Order of Munkhumutapa, the highest state award for foreign citizens.

This prestigious order is awarded for significant and long-standing contributions to supporting the liberation struggle of the Zimbabwean people. It is worth noting that since its establishment in 2005, few people have been awarded this honour — the number of recipients has only recently exceeded ten.

Vladimir Gennadievich Shubin is an internationally recognised scientist who has always been committed to the principles of justice, solidarity and freedom. His profound historical research, loyalty to the ideals of Pan-Africanism and active social work played a significant role in the Zimbabwean struggle for independence.

The solemn ceremony took place in the capital of the Republic, Harare, as part of the events dedicated to Zimbabwe National Heroes Day. Vladimir Gennadievich took part in commemorative events at the National Memorial, where, together with representatives of state structures and residents of the country, he honoured the memory of those who died fighting for independence.

Vladimir Shubin was secretary of the Soviet Committee for Solidarity with Asian and African Countries, and also headed the Africa Group (Sector) of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Among other things, he coordinated the provision of political, economic and other assistance to national liberation movements in southern African countries, including Zimbabwe.

During Zimbabwe's armed struggle for independence, Shubin played a key role in organising the training of command personnel and fighters of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZPRA), including an elite aviation unit in exile. V.G. Shubin's activities contributed to increasing the combat effectiveness of the liberation forces and strengthening bilateral ties between the Soviet Union and Zimbabwe during the years of resistance to colonial oppression.

A number of Russian and Zimbabwean media outlets reported that Vladimir Gennadievich had been awarded the Royal Order of Munhumutapa. The Gambakwe publication noted that "Dr Shubin is known for his key role in supporting Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. He coordinated and promoted the ideas of liberation in the former USSR and around the world, contributing to the strengthening of international solidarity with the independence movements in Africa.‘ The Herald newspaper called V.G. Shubin ’a loyal ally of Zimbabwe during the years of the liberation struggle."

In turn, the chief researcher at the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences said in an interview with The Herald that the award did not belong to him alone. In his opinion, the order was awarded to all those hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Russian and Soviet citizens who in one way or another contributed to Zimbabwe's struggle for independence and the further development of bilateral relations between the countries.

At the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, we are proud to have had the honour of working alongside Vladimir Gennadievich Shubin for many years. We offer our sincere congratulations on the awarding of this well-deserved honour. V.G. Shubin's many years of scientific and public activity clearly demonstrate his commitment to the ideals of freedom, justice and international solidarity. We are confident that Vladimir Gennadievich's contribution will continue to inspire both his colleagues and future generations of scientists and public figures working for the benefit of Africa.