Vladimir Putin vows to bring in Nemtsov killers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for the "vile" murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov in a drive-by shooting near the Kremlin.

"Everything will be done so that the organisers and perpetrators of a vile and cynical murder get the punishment they deserve," Putin said in a telegram to Nemtsov's mother published on the Kremlin's website yesterday.

Putin told Nemtsov's 86-year-old mother, Dina Eidman, that his death was an irreparable loss and that he had "left his trace in Russia's history, in politics and public life."

Nemtsov, who served as deputy prime minister under Boris Yeltsin's presidency in the 1990s, "worked in significant posts during a difficult transitional period for our country," Putin said.

"He always directly and honestly announced his position, stood up for his point of view."

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also praised Nemtsov as a "principled person" who "acted openly, consistently and never betrayed his views."

He said he was "shocked at the cruel and cynical murder".