Condolences on the passing of first President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolayev 2023-08-05 16:30:00 Vladimir Putin offered his sincere condolences to the residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) on the passing of the republic’s first president, Mikhail Nikolayev. The message reads, in part: “The first President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) sincerely loved his homeland and did a great deal for its social and economic development, preservation of the unique traditions and customs of his compatriots, improving their quality of life. In addition, he made a substantial contribution to strengthening interethnic accord and peace in our country.”