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Putin pays tribute to Russian pilots killed fighting mutineers Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to pilots killed fighting an aborted mutiny and thanked the nation for showing patriotic unity while confirming for the first time that Russian pilots died opposing the Wagner militia group's march 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. Thanking the Russian people, servicemen, law enforcement and security services for remaining united to protect "the Fatherland", Putin said it showed Russia would not succumb to "any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil". read more