11 Facts About Artur Chilingarov

Artur Nikolaevich Chilingarov was an Armenian-Russian polar explorer, a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Artur Chilingarov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1986 and the title of Hero of the Russian Federation in 2008.

Artur Chilingarov was born in Leningrad to Russian mother and Armenian father.

Artur Chilingarov's father was born in Gyumri and moved to Vladikavkaz at a young age.

In 1969, he was appointed head of the drift ice station "North Pole-19" and, in 1971, Artur Chilingarov headed the Bellingshausen Station of the 17th Soviet Antarctic Expedition.

Artur Chilingarov summarized his experience in navigation support on the Northern Sea Route in his dissertation for the scientific degree of a kandidat of geographical sciences.

For successful performance of the rescue operations in extreme conditions and for displayed organizational abilities and courage, Artur Chilingarov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on 14 February 1986.

Artur Chilingarov was scheduled to join in 60 dives in total.

On 29 July 2008, Artur Chilingarov took part in a dive to a depth of 1,580 meters in Lake Baikal, just short of the record 1,637 meters.

In December 2012, Artur Chilingarov supported the anti-Magnitsky bill to ban US adoptions of Russian orphans, although he said earlier that there was no need to rush the legislation: "It concerns children, and you have to be accurate with it".

Artur Chilingarov died in Moscow on 1 June 2024, at the age of 84.