Russian Officials Praise Late Arms Designer Kalashnikov

Arms designer General Mikhail Kalashnikov holds his iconic "Kalashnikov" assault rifle during celebrations in 1997 of the 50th anniversary of the first-version AK-47.

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.

OBITUARY: Kalashnikov's Uncomfortable Legacy

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.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS