Rip Mikhail Kalashnikov

The inventor of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died at the age of 94. His ingenuity earned him widespread admiration, but his legacy became more controversial when his weapons were used in some of the world's bloodiest conflicts.
"It is difficult and sad to realize that Mikhail Kalashnikov is no longer with us. We have lost one of the most talented, memorable and committed patriots of Russia, who served his country throughout his life," said the statement from the press secretary of the Udmurtia administration Viktor Chulkov.
Kalashnikov, who had been suffering from heart and intestinal problems in recent years, had been in intensive care in Izhevsk - where the plant that produces the eponymous rifles is located - since November 17. The official cause of death will be revealed following a mandatory autopsy.
A public funeral will be organized by the regional administration, in consultation with surviving relatives, though no date has been named so far.
For most of his life, Kalashnikov was feted as a straightforward hero.
The self-taught peasant turned tank mechanic who never finished high school, but achieved a remarkable and lasting feat of engineering while still in his twenties.
But as the rifles, inextricably linked forever to their creator by name, were more and more commonly seen in the hands of terrorists, radicals and child soldiers, the inventor was often forced to defend himself to journalists.
He was forever asked if he regretted engineering the weapon that probably killed more than any other in the last fifty years.
"I invented it for the protection of the Motherland. I have no regrets and bear no responsibility for how politicians have used it," he told them.
On a few occasions, when in a more reflective mood, the usually forceful Kalashnikov wondered what might have been.
"I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists," he said once.
"I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work -- for example a lawnmower."

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

R.I.P. Comrade!
AK-47 = the #1 battle rifle of all time as voted by The Military Channel

[@RedPillRacing.]

R.I.P. from Hungary!

[@menzeniium2083]

R.I.P from Czech

[@DanishARMA2]

rip comrade

[@eriksvideoer8111]

Rip from Norway 🇳🇴

[@helptemsi]

94 divided by 2 =AK47