MOSCOW -- Lyudmila Zykina, one of the most beloved Soviet and Russian singers, has died in a Moscow hospital, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Zykina, 80, was hospitalized several days ago after suffering a heart attack.
She began her famous solo singing career in 1960 and was considered the main symbol of Russian folk songs in the Soviet Union.
Zykina performed at most official concerts at the Kremlin and was said to be Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's favorite singer. Two of her most popular songs are "Techot Volga" and "Orenburgsky platok."
Russian authorities have announced that she will be buried at the prominent Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow on July 4.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and many other leading politicians have expressed their condolences at Zykina's passing.