In his remarks, which were delivered on state television during a meeting with Russian-imposed leader of the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, the Russian president referred to the mercenary chief as a "talented man" who had "made some serious mistakes in life."
"I have known Prigozhin for a long time, since the 1990s," Putin said. "He made some serious mistakes in life, but he also achieved the necessary results for himself but also for the greater good when I asked him. He was a talented man; a talented businessman."
Putin went on to highlight Prigozhin's achievements as the head of the Wagner Group, claiming he had "made a significant contribution to the fight against nazism in Ukraine."
"We remember this, know this, and won't forget it," Putin added, noting as well that Prigozhin "worked not only in our country... but also abroad."
Earlier this year the Wagner Group marched within 125 miles of Moscow over disagreements with the Russian military in what was referred to as an attempted coup. Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus, but was soon reported to be back in Russia.
The plane carrying Prigozhin was flying from Moscow en route to St. Petersburg when it crashed near Kuzhenkino in the Tver region north of Moscow around 1pm EST on Wednesday. State newswire RIA Novosti reported at the time that the Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed "there were ten people on board, including three crew members," and that, "according to preliminary information, all on board were killed."
Prigozhin's name was on the passenger manifest, though a second plane belonging to the mercenary leader was spotted rerouting back to Moscow.
Following the incident, German Foreign Minister Annelana Baerbock warned against believing the Kremlin's official narrative, pointing out that Putin had lied about similar situations in the past.
