"Father" of AK-47 Kalashnikov passes away

On December 23, Russian media reported that the legendary designer and “father” of the famous AK-47 submachine gun, Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov, had passed away at the age of 95 after a long illness. He had been hospitalized on November 17 due to a diagnosis of stomach bleeding.

Kalashnikov with the legendary rifle. Photo: AFP

Immediately after hearing the news, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and many Russian leaders expressed their condolences and sent messages to Mr. Kalashnikov's family.

Prime Minister Medvedev considered the passing of this legendary weapons designer as “a great loss for all of Russia”, and highly appreciated Kakashnikov's life and career in serving the Fatherland and strengthening the country's security.

Defense Minister Shoigu also honored Kalashnikov as “an outstanding citizen, patriot and symbol of Russia.”

Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov was born on November 10, 1919 in the village of Kurya, Altay Region. He is the author of a line of automatic infantry weapons with nearly 150 models that are considered “unparalleled” in the past half century and are in service with more than 100 countries around the world.

The famous AK-47 submachine gun (Kalashnikov automatic gun) was created by him in 1947, put into service with the Soviet army two years later, and armed the armies of 55 countries.

The AK-47 is also recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most popular weapon in the world, listed among the outstanding inventions of the 20th century.

For his outstanding contributions, Mikhail Kalashnikov was awarded the title Hero of Russia and twice awarded the title Hero of Socialist Labor of the Soviet Union.

His name is also given to the Kalashnikov arms corporation, which was merged from the two Russian corporations Izmash and IMZ.

According to VNA