Ukrainian secret services have revealed the identity of the alleged defector of the Russian pilot who flew to Ukraine in an Mi-8 helicopter, and have also released statements inviting other Russians to follow his example.
Maksym Kuzminov, 28, of the 319th Separate Helicopter Regiment of the Russian Military Aviation, appears in the documentary “Defeated Pilots of Russia”, published by the Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine on its YouTube channel on Sunday night.
In the video, this Russian soldier explained his decision to bring the helicopter to Ukraine because he did not want to get involved in war crimes, and called on other Russian pilots to follow his example.
Kuzminov said he contacted Ukrainian military intelligence representatives, who guaranteed his safety and offered him new documents and financial compensation before going ahead with the operation.
This Russian made the final decision while flying close to the border between Russia and Ukraine on August 9, piloting the helicopter across the border at an extremely low altitude.
“Apparently no one for three or four days [na Rússia] I understood what was happening to me,” he underlined.
According to the video, Kuzminov was injured after landing, but received medical attention in time.
Ukrainian secret services confirmed on the Telegram social network that two other crew members died after refusing to surrender.
“What is happening now is simply a genocide of the Ukrainian people, a genocide of both Ukrainians and Russians. The main reason for my decision was not to facilitate these crimes,” Kuzminov stressed.
Ukrainian military intelligence stressed that Russian pilots who decide to switch sides will receive “guarantees in accordance with the law”, including financial compensation for the military equipment provided.
“You won’t regret it at all. You will have absolutely everything for the rest of your life,” Kuzminov emphasized in the video, addressing the Russian pilots.
According to the documentary, Kuzmonov provided “very valuable evidence about the aircraft, communication systems and airfield network of the enemy army”.
The pilot and his family are currently in Ukraine, Ukrainian military intelligence said.
“Safety guarantees for the pilot’s family were an important part of the operation,” he added.
This special operation, which lasted for months, demanded “maximum secrecy” because Russia is using “unprecedented measures” to prevent its pilots from having any contact with “unverified” people, Ukrainian military intelligence also revealed.
Source: DN
