Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to the family of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, describing him as a "talented businessman" whom he has known since the 1990s. He remarked, "Prigozhin made some serious mistakes in life, but he also achieved necessary results."
Putin added, "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in yesterday's plane crash, in which Prigozhin was among the passengers."
During a televised meeting, Putin characterized those on board the plane as "people who made significant contributions to the joint efforts to combat the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine." He mentioned that Prigozhin had returned from Africa on Wednesday and met with officials in Moscow before the crash.
Putin confirmed that Russia is investigating the causes of the plane crash but noted that inquiries into such incidents take time.
