China News Agency, Moscow, December 8th. According to RIA Novosti on the 8th, citing the head of Russia’s "Military Chiefs’ Club" Jeryabin, the last Soviet defense minister Shaboshnikov passed away.

The funeral will be held at the Memorial Cemetery of the Russian Federation Military.

  According to the TASS news agency citing medical sources, Shaboshnikov died at the age of 78 due to infection with the new crown virus.

"RBC" news network reported that Shaboshnikov was diagnosed with the new crown virus on November 25 and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

On December 5, Shaboshnikov's condition deteriorated.

  Shaboshnikov was born in 1942.

From July 1990 to August 1991, he served as commander of the Soviet Air Force.

From August 23 to December 26, 1991, Shaboshnikov served as Soviet Defense Minister.

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Shaboshnikov served successively as interim commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States, representative of the Russian President’s Arms and Military Equipment Import and Export Corporation in Russia, CEO of Aeroflot and Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation.

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