Russian President Vladimir Putin took to the press to share his thoughts on the recent death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and nine others in a plane crash on Wednesday.
“Regarding the plane crash – first and foremost I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of all those who died,” Putin began. “These matters are always a tragedy. And indeed, if the initial data are correct, then those who were on board included employees of the Wagner Group.”
Putin releases first statement on Prigozhin:
“He had a difficult path and made serious mistakes in his life. But he got results for himself, and when I asked him.” pic.twitter.com/v9er4Xjt9i
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 24, 2023
He emphasized that the people on board made a significant contribution to Russia’s common cause of fighting what Putin called the “neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine.” “We remember this, we know it, and won’t forget it.”
Also Read Russian Mercenary Chief Prigozhin Listed as Passenger on Crashed Plane |
Putin stated that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s, and that he was man of complicated fates — having made significant mistakes in his life, particularly within the last few months before his death.
“He was a talented person, a talented businessman,” Putin added.
The Russian President then informed audiences that the head of the Investigative Committee reported that they already began a preliminary investigation into the plane crash and that it would be conducted “through to the end.”
“Right now, both technical and genetic examinations are underway,” Putin said. “This takes time.”