Vladimir Menshov Photo: VCG

Russia's Oscar-winning film director Vladimir Menshov died on Monday aged 81 after testing positive for coronavirus.

Menshov, who won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1981, died as a result of complications from COVID-19, Moscow film studios, Mosfilm, confirmed in a statement.

"We knew he was suffering from COVID-19, but in a mild form. It is absolutely horrible and unexpected," film director Vladimir Khotinenko told AFP.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin "expresses his deepest condolences." 

He worked as an actor and then a director and gained international fame for his film Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1981.

Menshov was beloved in Russia for his comedy Love and Pigeons, released in 1984 and still one of the most watched films on Russian television. 

AFP