MYTISHCHI, Russia: Russia yesterday buried Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle that was the favoured weapon of guerrillas worldwide, at a newly-opened cemetery for national heroes.
To the sound of a final salute fired from the AK-47 machine guns that made him world-famous, Kalashnikov was laid to rest with full state honours at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery (FVMK) in the town of Mytishchi outside Moscow.
In a sign of the importance to Russia of Kalashnikov, who died on Monday at the age of 94, his funeral was attended by President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov.
Putin placed flowers at the coffin of Kalashnikov before the burial and shook hands with his grieving relatives. The coffin was taken to the final resting place in the cemetery accompanied by a guard of honour.
The cemetery aims to be what is described as a “pantheon” for military heroes and top statesmen. The memorial complex was opened by Shoigu in June this year. He was buried outdoors on an “alley of heroes” reserved for those who have made an irreplaceable contribution to Russia’s development.
Initial reports after his death said that Kalashnikov was to be buried in the city of Izhevsk in the central Udmurtia region where he spent most of his working life.
However officials apparently decided he was a figure of such national significance he needed to be buried in the new cemetery and not in the provinces.
AFP
