Kalashnikov was sad for killing millions with his invention months before death

Legendary AK-47 assault rifle designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, had reportedly expressed his remorse to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, for those killed by his invention, months before his death.

The Russian national hero, who died in December, at the age of 94, wrote an emotional letter to Izvestia's Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill in April.

In his letter to the Church head, Kalashnikov said that his spiritual pain was unbearable and asked whether he was guilty for the death of people by his invented rifle, News24 reported.

Kalashnikov had been admitted in the Intensive Care Unit with heart problems and was spending most of his time in the hospital when he wrote the letter.

The soviet legend came up with the rifle design for the 'Red Army' during World War II. The rifles were designed at the Izmash factory in the central city of Izhevsk.

Alexander Volkov, the Patriarch's press secretary said that the letter was received by the Church head, who wrote Kalashnikov a personal reply.

Volkav said that when weapons serve to protect the Fatherland, the Church supports both its creators and the soldiers who use it.