The message reads, in part:
“Yury Drozdov has passed away. He was a legendary intelligence officer and an outstanding professional, a powerful and extraordinary person.
General Drozdov devoted his life to serving the Motherland and enhancing the country’s national security. He belonged to the heroic generation of frontline veterans and took part in brilliant operations that are by right considered the pride of our country’s foreign intelligence. One of his indisputable achievements was his contribution to the formation of the legendary Vympel task force.”
Yury Drozdov died at the age of 91.