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Arthur Chilingarov (b. 1939, Leningrad) is a Russian polar explorer and politician of Armenian descent. He is a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and a Hero of the Soviet Union

In 1963 he graduated from the Arctic faculty of the Leningrad Marine Institute named after admiral S.O. Makarov. As an engineer-oceanologer was directed to Tiksi observatory of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. In 1965 was elected as the first secretary of Bulonsk district committee. In 1969 appointed as the head of the research station “North Pole-19” and in 1971 Chilingarov headed the Bellingshausen Station of the 17-th Soviet Antarctic Expedition.

Since 1974, during 5 years, he was working in the West sector of the Arctic as a head of the Amderminsk Administration of hydrometeorology and environment control. Under his direction new forms of arctic operative navigation support were implemented; for the first time experimental works on cargo transfer to fast ice during wintertime were carried out in Yamal Peninsula. His experience in navigation support on the Northern Sea Route Chilingarov summarized in his dissertation for a scientific degree of a kandidat of geographical sciences.

In 1985 he headed the special expedition on research vessel Mikhail Somov, which was ice-blocked in the Southern Ocean. For successful performance of salvation operations in extreme conditions and shown organizational abilities and courage A. Chilingarov was awarded a Hero of the Soviet Union status.

A. Chilingarov is awarded with Orders of Lenin, Order of the Red Banner of Labour, Order of the Badge of Honor, with many medals. He is a laureate of the USSR State Prize and the author of more than 50 scientific publications. He was elected into all the State Dumas and served as Deputy Chairman of the Third State Duma.

• Biography of Chilingarov