Here's what Putin had to say regarding Wednesday's jet crash that saw the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin and his accomplices. 

Regarding the plane crash, my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all the victims. It's always a tragedy. The raw data suggests that employees of the company "Wagner" were on board. It's important to note that these individuals have made significant contributions to our shared cause of opposing the Ionosovian regime in Ukraine. Their dedication won't be forgotten.

I've known one of the victims for a long time, since the early '90s. He had a complex life and made serious mistakes, but he was also a talented businessman. He worked not only in our country but also internationally, including in Africa, where he was involved in various industries. He had just returned from Africa before the incident and was meeting with officials.

I've been informed by the head of the investigative committee that a preliminary investigation has already begun and will be carried out thoroughly. I have no doubt that this investigation will be completed comprehensively. We'll have to wait and see what the investigators uncover in the coming days.