Russia unveils huge monument to Kalashnikov, of AK-47 fame

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Russia unveils huge monument to Kalashnikov, of AK-47 fame

By Mikhail Antonov
Updated

Moscow: Mikhail Kalashnikov looks into the distance, cradling one of his automatics in his arms "like a violin". His 4.8-metre frame stands proud atop a 4-metre pedestal.

The late Russian lieutenant general is better known as the inventor of the assault rifle that bears his name and became by some estimates the most lethal weapon ever made.

A new monument to Russian firearm designer Mikhail Kalashnikov is unveiled in Moscow on Tuesday.

A new monument to Russian firearm designer Mikhail Kalashnikov is unveiled in Moscow on Tuesday.Credit: AP

On Tuesday, a statue was unveiled in his honour in a tiny square on Moscow's busy Garden Ring thoroughfare. It has him dressed in a bomber jacket and clutching an AK-47 in both hands.

"I created a weapon for the defence of my fatherland," runs a Kalashnikov quote hewn on the pedestal. At the unveiling ceremony, a Kremlin guard of honour stood to attention.

The monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov whose weapon is considered to have killed more people than all others put together.

The monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov whose weapon is considered to have killed more people than all others put together.Credit: AP

The ceremony took place to the sounds of Russian military folk music, the Soviet anthem, Orthodox prayers and words about how his creation had ensured Russia's safety and peace in the world.

There was no mention of the untold millions of people who have been killed or maimed by the weapon since its creation.

"This weapon is Russia's defence. It's one of Russia's symbols. Alas, for life to continue, for lovely children to grow up, for beautiful women in Russia, there must be a weapon," the monument's sculptor, Salavat Shcherbakov, said.

The AK-47, the small-arms mainstay of Russia's armed forces for more than 60 years, is also featured on the national emblems of several African nations and on that of East Timor.

Advertisement
Girls learn to handle Kalashnikov assault rifles at the cadets' boarding school No. 9 for girls in Moscow.

Girls learn to handle Kalashnikov assault rifles at the cadets' boarding school No. 9 for girls in Moscow.Credit: AP/File

Every fifth firearm in the world is a Kalashnikov. Kalashnikovs account for more than 70 million of the assault rifles that have been produced over the past 60 years and are in service in 50 foreign armies, the Kalashnikov Concern said on its website.

Military experts say the AK-47 has killed more people than all other types of modern weapons together.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, second left front, visits a display of rifles at the Kalashnikov factory last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, second left front, visits a display of rifles at the Kalashnikov factory last year.Credit: Handout/AP

As well as being embraced by armies, anti-Western revolutionary movements and leftist leaders worldwide, the relatively cheap and sturdy rifle has been used by gangsters, drug traffickers, militants and rebels of all stripes.

Kalashnikov, who died aged 94 in 2013, had repeatedly said that pride in his invention was mixed with the pain of seeing it used by criminals and child soldiers.

Bodies are covered on a Tunisian beach in 2015 after a young man unfurled pulled out a Kalashnikov and opened fire on European sunbathers in an attack that killed at least 28 people.

Bodies are covered on a Tunisian beach in 2015 after a young man unfurled pulled out a Kalashnikov and opened fire on European sunbathers in an attack that killed at least 28 people.Credit: AP/File

The offspring of a large peasant family, Mikhail Kalashnikov started working on a new automatic firearm for the Soviet Red Army after he was wounded during World War II.

He won a state competition to select a new weapon, beating the Soviet Union's best designers, and it brought him the Stalin Prize. His first assault rifle was produced in 1947 and there have been numerous modifications since then.

Mikhail Kalashnikov holds a prototype of his famous AK-47 assault rifle in 2007.

Mikhail Kalashnikov holds a prototype of his famous AK-47 assault rifle in 2007.Credit: AP

The Kalashnikov rifle is "a true cultural brand of Russia", Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said at the ceremony.

Loading

The unveiling of the monument was timed to coincide with Armsmakers' Day marked in Russia on Tuesday. Underscoring the importance of the military-industrial complex for Russia's economy, President Vladimir Putin sent best wishes to the workers of the sector.

Reuters, New York Times

Most Viewed in World

Loading