TOP HEADLINES

• Russian investigators say they have recovered flight recorders and 10 bodies from the scene of the plane crash in which Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed to have died. The private jet crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, killing all 10 people onboard.

• The Kremlin denies it ordered Prigozhin's killing, branding any such suggestions as an "absolute lie." READ MORE BELOW

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Wagner fighters to sign an oath of loyalty to the Russian state. The decree, which came into immediate effect, applies to any private military contractors carrying out work on behalf of the military or supporting Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine.

• Two people were killed and another wounded in Russian shelling on the village of Podoly in Kharkiv on Saturday, the eastern Ukrainian region's governor said.

• Three airports in Moscow and another in a southern region bordering Ukraine temporarily shut down after an overnight drone attack. Russian authorities say the drone was brought down using its air defense systems.

• A Ukrainian drone attack struck a Russian military base inside Crimea on Friday, according to Ukrainian intelligence officials. Residents in the Russian-controlled territory posted on the Telegram messaging app of casualties and hearing blasts from the military base. 

IN DEPTH

"Absolute lie" - Kremlin denies ordering Wager chief killing

Russia said Western allegations it orchestrated the killing of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin are an "absolute lie." 

The Kremlin declined to definitively confirm Prigozhin's death, citing the need to wait for DNA test results.

President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the families of those killed in the crash on Thursday and spoke of Prigozhin in the past tense. He cited initial reports indicated Prigozhin and his top associates had all been killed.

Investigators working on the crash site say they recovered the private jet's black box and 10 bodies.

Meanwhile, Belarusian Leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin's, described the plane crash as "too rough and unprofessional a job." 

He said the Russian leader could not be behind it. "I know Putin: he is calculating, very calm, even tardy," Lukashenko said, adding Wagner fighters would remain in Belarus. 

President Putin has also ordered Wagner fighters and other private military contractors to sign an oath of allegiance to the Russian state. 

The move comes into immediate effect amid speculation on the future of the mercenary group's leadership. It is seen by some as a step by Moscow to bring such groups under a tighter state grip.

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