The message reads, in part:
“The death of Vladimir Fortov is a huge and truly irreparable loss for national science and for our country, to which he devoted his life. Dr Fortov was an outstanding, world-renowned scientist, and a personality of a truly unique calibre. His dedicated research, organisational and social activities, as well as an entire constellation of talented students have earned him due respect and the highest professional recognition.”
Former President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Fortov died on November 29 in Moscow at the age of 74.
Vladimir Fortov was a leading specialist in the field of plasma physics and high power pulse energy, winner of state awards in the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, as well as the Global Energy Prize, and a number of Russian and international awards. He was decorated with orders of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, including every class of the Order For Services to the Fatherland (I to IV degree). Vladimir Fortov was a member of the largest foreign academies and scientific societies, and an honourary member of 11 universities (five Russian and six foreign ones).