According to RIA Novosti, referring to its source, Mikhail Ponomaryov died of cardiac arrest.
"Ponomaryov really died of cardiac arrest, this is not related to the coronavirus. Literally on Friday, he felt fine", - said the agency's interlocutor.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko expressed condolences to the family and friends of Mikhail Ponomaryov, noting that he “devoted his whole life to serving the Fatherland, made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that are part of the Ural Federal District, adequately represented the interests of the Tyumen Region in Federation Council".
Mikhail Ponomaryov took over as the senator in 2016, previously he was a deputy of the Tyumen Regional Duma of the sixth convocation. His senatorial powers were supposed to end in September this year.
Ponomaryov was awarded the Orders of Friendship and Honor.