Russian president confirms reports by military bloggers that several planes were shot down during mutiny by Wagner mercenary group
What we know on day 489 of the invasion
Vladimir Putin also 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.