(MENAFN) Valerian Sobolev, the renowned engineer behind the Iskander and Topol missile launcher systems, has died at the age of 87, a news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a family friend.

He passed away in his hometown of Volgograd on Tuesday following a prolonged struggle with illness.

Throughout his extensive career, Sobolev advanced from working as an engineer at a tractor factory to becoming the chief designer at the Titan Design Bureau, which is now part of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos.

At this bureau, he oversaw the creation of launchers and ground support systems for the mobile Iskander cruise missile, as well as the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile system—a central element of both the USSR’s and Russia’s nuclear triad.

The modernized Iskander missiles have seen significant deployment during the conflict in Ukraine.

Sobolev’s achievements were recognized with numerous prestigious state awards, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the USSR State Prize, and the Lenin Prize.

Born in pre-war Stalingrad (present-day Volgograd) in 1938, Sobolev graduated from the Stalingrad Mechanical Institute in 1960.

He began his professional journey as a tractor engineer before transitioning to defense industry work.

Over his lifetime, he made substantial contributions to science and innovation, holding more than 190 invention certificates and patents.

His work spanned multiple fields, from housing construction to aerospace development.

In addition to his scientific contributions, Sobolev served in several regional and national government positions from 1989 to 1996.

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