MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who died in Moscow on Friday at 85, wrote bright and legendary pages in the history of space exploration.

"Immeasurably devoted to the cause of his life, he authored bright and truly legendary pages in the chronicle of space exploration and in the history of our country," Putin said in a message of condolences to Leonov’s widow Svetlana and daughter Oksana. The message was published on the Kremlin’s website.

Earlier, Putin offered deep condolences over the death of cosmonaut Alexei Leonov.

"Vladimir Putin has expressed deep condolences to the relatives and dear ones of cosmonaut Alexei Leonov over the cosmonaut’s death," the Kremlin said on its website.

Putin shared a warm relationship with Leonov and admired his courage, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS earlier.

"They knew each other very well. Putin held Leonov in high esteem. They had lengthy conversations many times. Putin always admired Leonov’s courage and believed he was a man among men, with a capital M," Peskov said, adding that Putin was deeply aggrieved by Leonov’s death.

Peskov was unable to say if Putin would attend Leonov’s funeral.