The message reads, in part:

“Please accept my sincere condolences on Vasily Belov's passing.

“Vasily Belov devoted his life to literature and became one of the pioneers of rural prose. In his works he portrayed the difficult peasant life and the daily routine in the village. His earnest and emotionally charged stories make impressive use of the Russian language; they make us better and kinder.

“Vasily Belov never broke his bond with the Fatherland. He was a true patriot and a true citizen.

The memory of this outstanding Russian writer will live in the hearts of his family, his friends and  millions of readers.”