Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to pilots killed fighting an aborted mutiny over the weekend, confirming for the first time that Russian aviators had been lost in battle as the Wagner mercenary group marched on Moscow. Putin's televised address on Monday was his first public comment since Saturday's armed revolt led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and confirmed reports on social media that Wagner forces had downed Russian aircraft in the fighting. 'The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences,' Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russia's very existence and those behind it would be punished.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1793726/putin-pays-tribute-to-russian-pilots-killed-fighting-mutineers

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