Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials have sent their condolences to the family of arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, who died on December 23 after a long illness.An offiical in the regional administration of Udmurtia said the next day that Kalashnikov, who designed the AK-47 assault rifle, would likely be buried in Izhevsk on December 26.
[h=5]OBITUARY: Kalashnikov's Uncomfortable Legacy[/h]
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called Kalashnikov's passing "an irreparable loss for our entire country."Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called him a "vivid example of selfless service to the Fatherland."
Residents of Izhevsk laid flowers at a monument to Kalashnikov after news of his death was announced.
Kalashnikov designed the AK-47 in 1947 and it was commissioned by the Soviet armed forces in 1949.
There are an estimated 100 million AK-47s currently in circulation.
[h=6]Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS[/h]
[h=5]OBITUARY: Kalashnikov's Uncomfortable Legacy[/h]
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called Kalashnikov's passing "an irreparable loss for our entire country."Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called him a "vivid example of selfless service to the Fatherland."
Residents of Izhevsk laid flowers at a monument to Kalashnikov after news of his death was announced.
Kalashnikov designed the AK-47 in 1947 and it was commissioned by the Soviet armed forces in 1949.
There are an estimated 100 million AK-47s currently in circulation.
[h=6]Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS[/h]