OREANDA-NEWS. June 03, 2009. Dmitry Medvedev’s telegram to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reads, in part:

“I was deeply saddened to learn about the Air France jet accident.

This accident ended the lives of hundreds of people, crew members and passengers, many of whom were Brazilian citizens, and has led to immeasurable sorrow and loss to their loved ones.

On behalf of myself and all Russian people, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the victims’ family members.”

In his telegram to Nicolas Sarkozy Russia’s President noted:

“I was deeply saddened to learn about the Air France jet accident, which resulted in the loss of many lives.

Here in Russia, we are shocked by this tragedy. We offer our sincerest condolences to the citizens of France, and we share the sorrow of those who lost friends, family members, and loved ones.

Please accept our deepest condolences, on behalf of myself and the entire Russian nation.”

The Air France A330 aircraft was flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when it suffered an accident over the Atlantic ocean on June 1. 226 people were on board.