Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny for the first time. He called the politician's death an "unfortunate accident" and confirmed his intention to exchange Navalny.

"As for Navalny. Yes, he passed away, it is always a sad event. We have had other cases where people in prison have passed away. Hasn't this happened in the United States? It has happened many times," Putin said.

He stated that a few days before the oppositionist's death, there was an idea to exchange him "for some people who are in prison in Western countries."

"You can believe me or not. The person hadn't finished his sentence yet, and I said, 'I agree. Only on condition that he stays there and does not return." However, unfortunately, it happened as it did. It happens, there's nothing you can do about it," Putin said.

For his part, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "Yulia Navalnaya had chances to come to Russia and see her husband, but she preferred to stay abroad."