Legendary Arctic explorer dies at 84
Legendary Russian explorer-turned-lawmaker Artur Chilingarov has passed away at the age of 84, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, announced on Saturday.
The scientist “made an invaluable contribution to the exploration of the North and the World Ocean,” Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.
Chilingarov “led multiple expeditions, took part in the most difficult rescue operations, worked in extreme conditions for many years,” he added.
Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1939, Chilingarov dedicated his life to studying the oceans and the Earth’s poles. His career began in the early 1960s, leading numerous expeditions in the polar regions, including drifting ice stations in the north and the Bellingshausen Station in Antarctica.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chilingarov began his political career. He was elected as an MP multiple times, and served as a senator. This, however, did not put a stop to his scientific endeavors, which he continued until the late 2000s.
The renowned scientist received numerous state awards, including the Order of Lenin, Hero of the USSR, and Hero of Russia.
Senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have offered their condolences to his family and friends. “The president expressed his deep condolences over Chilingarov’s passing. They were true friends for years, they knew each other well. And the president sent a telegram with his condolences to the relatives and close ones of the Hero of Russia,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
