Iskander and Topol launcher designer passes away aged 87

Decorated engineer and scientist Valerian Sobolev headed the development of multiple missile and strategic systems

The designer of the Iskander and Topol missile launcher systems, legendary engineer Valerian Sobolev, has passed away at the age of 87, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday, citing a family friend.

He died in his home city of Volgograd on Tuesday after a lengthy battle with an illness.

Over his long career, Sobolev climbed from working as an engineer at a tractor plant to serving as chief designer at the Titan Design Bureau, now a subsidiary of Russian space giant Roscosmos.

At the bureau, he led the development of launchers and ground equipment for the mobile Iskander cruise missile, as well as the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile system, a key component of the USSR’s – and now Russia’s – nuclear triad. Upgraded Iskander missiles have seen extensive use in the Ukraine conflict.

His work earned him major state honors, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the USSR State Prize, and the Lenin Prize.

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Sobolev was born in pre-war Stalingrad (now Volgograd) in 1938. He graduated from the Stalingrad Mechanical Institute in 1960, first working as a tractor engineer before moving into defense manufacturing.

He made significant contributions to science and held over 190 invention copyright certificates and patents. He tackled a broad range of scientific pursuits, including housing construction and aerospace developments.

Sobolev also held a series of regional and national government posts from 1989 to 1996.