MOSCOW, December 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Mikhail Kalashnikov, the renowned Russian arms designer, passes away, Viktor Chulkov, the press secretary of the president of Udmurt Republic, told Itar-Tass on Monday.

Mikhail (Timofeyevich) Kalashnikov was born in Russia’s Altai region on November 10, 1919. His system of automatic small arms has been considered unrivaled in the world for the past 50 years. “I will be the first one to shake hand of the person who creates a better rifle,” he said the now-iconic phrase 30 years ago.

Mikhail Kalashnikov was the first in the world to design a whole range of uniform samples of automatic small arms identical in terms of automatics, internal design and principles of operation. They were introduced in the armed forces on a broad basis.

The Kalashnikov submachine gun is used in more than a hundred countries. It has been included in the list of outstanding inventions of the 20th century. A new enterprise, the Kalashnikov concern, is now bearing Mikhail Kalashnikov’s name. It has united the Izhmash plant and the Izhevsk mechanical plant under one brand.

During his life, Mikhail Kalashnikov wrote several autobiographical books. He continued working at the plant as chief designer until great age.

Mikhail Kalashnikov was the only person to be simultaneously awarded the titles of Hero of Russia and two-times Hero of Socialist Labor.

He designed his most famous assault rifle in 1947. Since then over 70 million units all its modifications has been manufactured. Today the AK is used by security agencies of over 100 countries.

Alexander Volkov, the president of the Udmurt Republic, has described the deceased small arms designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, as a bright patriot of Russia.

“It is hard and hurtful to realize that Mikhail Kalashnikov is no longer with us. One of the brightest, most talented and consistent patriots of Russia has passed away. He devoted all his life to serving his Motherland,” Alexander Volkov said in his condolences to the relatives and family of the dead on Monday.

The memory of the legendary small arms designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, will always live in our hearts, Vladimir Komoyedov, the head of the Russian State Duma Defence Committee, told Itar-Tass on Monday. The deputy presented profound condolences to Kalashnikov’s relatives and family.

“I think that his name will not only remain in our minds. It will also remain on emblems that depict his famous invention - the Kalashnikov submachine gun. Let him rest in peace. It seems to me that he will be remembered forever,” the deputy said.

Komoyedov does not think that the Kalashnikov concern will fall apart. “I do not think that it was created to fall apart. I believe that it was created to function. I am sure that it is going to live under its current name,” the deputy said in conclusion.

Alexander Volkov, the president of the Udmurt Republic, has described the deceased small arms designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, as a bright patriot of Russia.

“It is hard and hurtful to realize that Mikhail Kalashnikov is no longer with us. One of the brightest, most talented and consistent patriots of Russia has passed away. He devoted all his life to serving his Motherland,” Alexander Volkov said in his condolences to the relatives and family of the dead on Monday.

The legendary rifle designer was brought to the intensive therapy ward at the republican diagnostic center on November 17. The patient was diagnosed with gastric hemorrhage that was stopped in a surgery, Udmurtia health minister Vladimir Muzlov said. No visitors are permitted to see Kalashnikov in the ward. After the surgery he underwent an intensive therapy course as well as rehabilitation and recovery procedures.