The message reads:

Dear Mr Yakovlev,

Please accept my sincere congratulations on your 85th birthday. I wish you good health and all the very best. You rightly belong to the galaxy of shining stars of Russian drama. You are one of the most popular and beloved actors, of the people, both in title and in deed. Every one of your performances is distinguished by its emotional expressiveness, precise characterisation and genuine sincerity.

The success of legendary films like Anna Karenina, The Hussar Ballad, The Idiot, The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!, and Kin-dza-dza are in large part due to your fine acting.

Your fans admire your artistry and consider it a great joy to be able to watch you in your new play at the Vakhtangov Theatre, The Pier.

I wish you prosperity, inspiration and happiness.

Dmitry Medvedev