Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his “condolences” at the death of Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin in an aircraft accident on Thursday, characterising him as a guy who made errors but “achieved accomplishments.”
An inquiry into what caused Wednesday’s disaster, which occurred precisely two months after Wagner’s brief mutiny against Moscow’s military command, is presently ongoing.
“First and foremost, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the relatives of all the victims,” Putin said in a televised meeting, calling the situation a “tragedy.”
“I knew Prigozhin for a very long time, since the early 90s. He was a man of complicated fate, and he made serious mistakes in his life, but he achieved the right results,” Putin added.
He said that an investigation had been launched into the crash, and that “it will take some time”.
“It will be conducted in full and brought to a conclusion. There is no doubt about that,” Putin said, in footage showing a meeting with the Russian-installed head of the Donetsk region Denis Pushilin.
The circumstances of the crash, which claimed the lives of some of Prigozhin’s close entourage, have prompted furious speculation about a possible assassination.
