Legendary gun designer Mikhail Kalashnikov was buried Friday at a new military cemetery outside Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a host of other high-ranking officials paid their respects at the funeral, held with full state honors at the Federal Military Memorial Complex in the Moscow suburb of Mytishchi.
Putin laid red roses on Kalashnikov's coffin and offered condolences to family members.
The military fired salvos with AK-47s in a fitting last tribute to Kalashnikov, who designed the iconic assault rifle that brought him lasting fame.
Yelena Kalashnikova, the late designer's daughter, said at the funeral that her father had dedicated his whole life to serve Russia and "never thought of anything else."
Over 60,000 people paid their last respects to Kalashnikov, who died on Monday, during the two days of mourning in his native Izhevsk before his coffin was flown to Moscow on Thursday.
The Kalashnikov Group, the newly formed small-arms holding that still manufactures derivatives of the AK-47, has said it plans to turn Kalashnikov's office into a small museum and to establish an award bearing his name to honor its best branches and employees.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
