Defected Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov found dead in Spain, Ukrainian intelligence confirms

The saga began in August 2023 when the Ukrainian army noted a peculiar occurrence. Maksim Kuzminov, the pilot of the Russian Mi-8 helicopter, announced his defection to Ukraine. Previously, he had established contact with intelligence officials in Kyiv, also seeking protection for his family.

Kuzminov disclosed that he infiltrated Ukrainian airspace without the knowledge of two other pilots. He executed this at a low altitude while maintaining radio silence. Additionally, he urged other Russian soldiers to withdraw from the war, arguing that it amounted to "a systematic annihilation of the Ukrainian people".

Media outlets later announced that Russian intelligence had received directives to locate and eliminate Kuzminov. The Nexta profile on the X platform (formerly Twitter) in Spain has now reported that Maksim Kuzminov was found dead.

In October 2023, Russian-1 propagandists, citing unidentified intelligence sources, stated that Kuzminov "would not survive the process" since the intelligence "had already received their instruction."

Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed that the individual killed in Spain was indeed Kuzminov. Reports suggest that he was shot as many as 12 times before being hit by a car.

Soon after defecting to Ukraine, Kuzminov disclosed that he engaged Ukrainian military intelligence via social media, where all requisite information for soldiers wishing to defect has been accessible for more than a year. Immediately after Putin announced a "partial mobilization," President Zelensky encouraged Russian soldiers to contact a special hotline and surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Upon landing in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian army secured Kuzminov and his aircraft. The pilot was granted safety protocols, and the helicopter was appropriated for military intelligence. The Ukrainian authorities also offered the officer asylum. His family had previously arrived in Ukraine.