Vasili Lazarev

Vasili Grigoryevich Lazarev (Russian: Василий Григорьевич Лазарев; February 23, 1928 – December 31, 1990) was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew on the Soyuz 12 spaceflight as well as the abortive Soyuz 18a launch.

He was born in Poroshino.

He was injured by the high G-forces of the abort and landing and was initially denied his spaceflight bonus pay, having to appeal directly to Brezhnev to receive it.

Lazarev held a PhD in medicine and the rank of colonel in the Soviet Air Force. He remained in the space programme until failing a physical in 1981.

He died of alcohol poisoning in Moscow.