He flew a helicopter to Ukraine: Defence Intelligence confirms death of Russian Mi-8 pilot Kuzminov
Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who crossed the border with Ukraine and handed over the aircraft to the Ukrainian military, has died.
This was reported by a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Andriy Yusov, in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine.
– “We can confirm the fact of his death,” Yusov said, commenting on the information about Kuzminov.
In turn, Suspilne reports that Kuzminov’s body was found in Spain.
Earlier, the media reported that Kuzminov was allegedly shot in one of the cities of Spain.
Operation Titmouse
On August 9, 2023, Kuzminov landed an Mi-8 helicopter on the territory of the Vovchansk community in the Kharkiv region.
The special operation, codenamed “Synytsia,” had been in the works for several months. During the operation, the Ukrainian special services took the entire family of the Russian pilot abroad.
In September 2023, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the operation created conditions under which the helicopter was driven to Ukraine with the crew, who did not know what was happening.
– When they realized where they had landed, they tried to escape. Unfortunately, they were shot down. I wish they were alive, but we have what we have,” Budanov said at the time.
It is noted that Kuzminov transported components for combat aircraft to Ukraine along with the Mi-8 helicopter.
