Russia: "Jail us a bit later" - Khakassia gov jokes to Putin about wildfire investigation

"If someone is guilty of something, they will have to take responsibility", said Russian President Vladimir Putin whilst discussing the investigation into the wildfires that covered large parts of Siberia with the Governor of the Republic of Khakassia Viktor Zimin and residents from the region in Abakan, Tuesday. Zimin jokingly responded to Putin's statement by saying "jail us a bit later, let us work first", to which the president assured him that "nobody will be charged for nothing". Putin met with residents of the region who had lost their houses in the fires along with the authorities of the Republic of Khakassia to inspect and discuss the progress of reconstruction. A series of wildfires raged through the region of Khakassia on April 12, spreading to an area of more than 11,000 square kilometres (4,200 sq miles) and killing at least 29 people in the region. An estimated 1,850 military personnel, alongside volunteers, were deployed to extinguish the fires, which were brought under control on April 16. According to the Kremlin, Putin himself coordinated the disaster response.