MOSCOW. - Russian-Armenian scientist and polar explorer Arthur Chilingarov became Federal Council Senator from Russia’s Tula Oblast.

In October, Chilingarov was elected member of Oblast’s regional Council of Representatives and resigned from his mandate as State Duma deputy. And on November 11, he received his credential as Tula administration’s MP, RIA Novosti Russian news agency informed.       

Arthur Chilingarov was an MP in all five State Dumas, and he has “Hero of Russia” and “Hero of Soviet Union” titles for his polar explorations. Also, he is decorated with the Mesrop Mashtots Award and given the Anania Shirakatsi Medal for his active contribution to the Russian-Armenian community.