Russian film and TV director Tatyana Lioznova died on Thursday (29Sep11) at the age of 87.
Lioznova directed several classic movies, including 1967's Three Poplars at Plyushchikha Street and her final film The Carnival in 1981, but is best known for her 1970s series Seventeen Moments of Spring, about the final days of World War II.
Russian Culture Minister Alexander Avdeyev has paid tribute to the star, saying, "I am deeply shaken by the death of our great director. She was truly the pride and joy of our cinema.
"She was a remarkable woman who created unique films that have gone down in the history of Russian cinema."
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said her passing was "a great loss for Russian culture, for all of us", adding: "This brilliant and extraordinary woman, truly creative, will remain always in our memories."
Lioznova passed away in Moscow, but her cause of death had not been revealed as WENN went to press.