Then-chief doctor at the hospital, where Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny received first aid after he collapsed on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow last year, gave his first interview after was found following a three-day search operation in a Siberian forest on Monday.

Footage distributed by Omsk Health Ministry shows Murakhovsky giving a statement to the Rossiya TV channel, expressing his gratitude to everyone involved.

"I just realised today that this is a huge army of people. Thank you all so much, I apologise for not letting them celebrate the great holiday of May 9," he said.

The official described his disappearance as an 'accident,' noting that he couldn't find his way out of the woods all those days.

According to media reports citing the Omsk government, the minister himself went out to people near the village of Basly. From there he was taken to the district hospital, the Interior Ministry said but is reportedly in good condition.

Having gone hunting on a quad bike on May 7, Murakhovsky allegedly lost contact. On Sunday, May 9, a search operation led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Omsk region officers resulted in the discovery of his vehicle.

The search involved volunteers from Liza Alert and Dobrospas organisations, police, Rosgvardia and EMERCOM employees, hunting inspectors, and local residents. A helicopter and drones were also used.