The designer of the Kalashnikov, sometimes called the world’s most lethal weapon, was named a “Hero of Russia” on Tuesday by President Dmitry Medvedev who lauded him for creating “the brand every Russian is proud of”.

“In our country, such phenomena do not happen every day,” Medvedev told Mikhail Kalashnikov after decorating him with a gold medal at a lavish Kremlin reception dedicated to the assault rifle’s creator’s 90th birthday.

“I mean not only the Kalashnikov rifle but also the national brand created by you, which makes every Russian proud, makes him feel he is part of history and inspires him to work for the future.”

“Hero of Russia” is the nation’s highest honorary title.

Dressed in a general’s parade uniform decorated with two Soviet-era “Hero of Socialist Labour” gold stars, a frail-looking Kalashnikov clinked champagne glasses with Medvedev.

Created in 1947, the Kalashnikov, also known as the AK-47, is known for its reliability and simple design. It is officially in service in 55 countries and adorns several national emblems.

But many of the world’s estimated 100 million Kalashnikovs are also used as the weapon of choice by paramilitaries and rebels as well as gangsters and drug traffickers.

“This is not my fault that this weapon is not used where it should,” Kalashnikov, his voice trembling, said at the Kremlin ceremony.

As a sergeant in WWII, Kalashnikov was badly injured and pulled from a burning tank. He never finished school or went to university. Kalashnikov said in his memoirs that while inventing the rifle he was driven by complaints from other wounded soldiers that the Nazi Germans’ firearms were often better.

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