Russian President Putin awarded a state prize to experts who died in the explosion of a military base in August.

"Each of them has made an invaluable contribution to the consolidation of the Russian state. They have participated in the difficult and extremely important task, in order to develop the most advanced technology ever in the world." Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a state awards ceremony on November 21.

The Kremlin leader called five experts dead in the explosion of a military base in Nyonoksa, in the northernmost region of Arkhangelsk, on Aug. 8 as "heroes" and "patriots."

Putin also affirmed that Russia would continue to develop weapons related to the explosion, saying it would help "ensure Russia's sovereignty and security as well as peace for the younger generation".

However, the Russian president did not disclose the name of the weapon.

The explosion occurred during a test of a rocket engine using liquid fuel at the base of the Russian Navy in the northernmost region of Arkhangelsk. The incident killed 5 experts and raised concerns about radioactive leaks.

It was the second incident by the Russian army in less than a week, after a fire broke out in an ammunition warehouse in Krasnoyarsk region, central Russia, on August 5, causing a major explosion. At least one person was killed and 8 injured, while thousands of people within a 20 km radius were evacuated.