Havana, May 21 (RHC) -- The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel lamented Sunday the death of Russian Deputy Minister Petr Aleksandrovich Kucherenko, upon his return to his country after participating in the Caribbean nation in the Intergovernmental Commission.

In his Twitter account, the dignitary wrote: "With deep sorrow we learned of the death.  Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, the Russian government and people".

Kucherenko, who served as Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, died the day before at the age of 46, announced an official note from the Ministry.

According to the information, the official became ill during the flight from the island back to his country.

The plane landed in the Russian city of Mineralnye Vody, where he received medical attention and died.

A graduate of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia with a degree in jurisprudence, Kucherenko headed several public structures, participated in the implementation of public-state partnership projects in the social and educational fields.