The Russian writer and dissident Vladimir Voinovich died at age of 85 years. That confirmed his family to Russian news agency Tass. According to reports, he succumbed to a heart attack. He is to be buried in Moscow on Monday.

Because of his system-critical narratives and his commitment to human rights, Voinovich came toger several times with Soviet authorities. In 1974, Soviet Writers ‘ Union, 1980, deprived him of citizenship. Until 1990, author lived in West Germany.

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In exile, he wrote 1986 dystopian Roman Moscow 2042, in which he described a Communist capital of future. He also criticized Soviet planned economy in an incident at hotel Metropol, based on everyday shortcomings. Previously, Voinovich was also known by rogue novel The Memorable Adventures of soldier Ivan Tschonkin, who was published in 1960s and 1970s in Western foreign countries.

Voinovich wrote numerous songs in his early creative phase. Among or things, he wrote text for 14 minutes until start, which became unofficial anm of Russian cosmonauts.

Russian cultural creators described Woinowitschs death as a great loss. “He was a man with principles to which he kept his life,” said writer Igor Wolgin. Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinski said Voinovich was a person with clear positions. “His work has always been a sharp cut of reality, masterfully conveyed with a lively and entertaining language,” he wrote in a telegram to relatives. Voinovich has also made an important contribution to strengning freedom of expression.

Voinovich was considered a major time critic of his country and has received several prizes, including 2016 Lew Kopelev Prize for Peace and human rights. The author condemned Russian annexation of Crimea and demanded release of Nadia Savchenko.

Voinovich was born in 1932 in Stalinabad, present Dushanbe in Central Asian Tajikistan. After Second World War, he trained in craftsmanship and initially worked in an aluminium factory. From 1956 he studied in Moscow and worked as an editor for Soviet radio.

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