Budanov tells how he managed to lure the Russian Mi-8 pilot and his helicopter away
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has confirmed a special operation with a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov told how it was done.
According to him, the intelligence was able to find the right approach to the man and create conditions to bring his entire family out of Russia unnoticed.
– Eventually, they created conditions so that he could overtake an aircraft with a crew that did not know what was happening. When they realised where they had landed, they tried to escape. Unfortunately, they were shot down. I would like to see them alive, but we have what we have,” Budanov said in a comment to Radio Liberty’s Crimea.Realities project correspondent Anzhelika Rudenko.
The head of the GUR claims that the helicopter is currently in Kyiv, and it will be possible to see it and talk to the pilot after the release of the “official film”.
Budanov stressed that the pilot has two options for further action, but he is inclined to stay in Ukraine.
However, the intelligence chief did not say what the Russian pilot’s motivation might be. Budanov considers this operation to be one of the best conducted by the GUR in the history of Ukraine.
Recently it became known that intelligence lured a Russian Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine. The enemy craft was flying between two air bases, transporting parts for Su-27 and Su-30 SM fighters.
Two crew members were on board with the pilot, and the Mi-8 landed in Kharkiv region.
