- Russian pilot killed in Spain
- Defected to Ukraine last year
- Ukraine confirmed death
It is believed that the body of a man shot and killed in Spain belonged to a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year.
Maxim Kuzminov surrendered after flying a helicopter into Ukrainian territory in August.
The Spanish police have not publicly confirmed the identity of the individual who was killed a week ago near Alicante.
On Monday, however, Ukrainian intelligence confirmed Mr. Kuzminov’s death.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrayinska Pravda stated, “We hereby confirm that he has passed away… He decided to move to Spain rather than stay in the country.
We do know that he invited his ex-wife, who was later found shot dead.
According to Spanish authorities, it is possible that the victim was using a false identity.
Mr. Kuzminov’s body was found near a house in the town of Villajoyosa, on the eastern coast of Spain, along with documents bearing his name but not his nationality, as reported by the Spanish news agency Efe.
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A burnt-out vehicle, apparently used by the assailants, was found near the crime scene, according to the intelligence agency’s press service.
Last year, Mr. Kuzminov reportedly contacted the Ukrainian secret service about his wish to defect.
He carried out “Operation Synytsia” on 9 August, when he flew his Mi-8 helicopter across the border and landed it in eastern Ukraine.
Two other individuals on board were unaware of Mr. Kuzminov’s intentions. They were fatally shot as they ran towards the border after the helicopter’s landing. Mr. Kuzminov, who was also wounded in the leg, attributed the killings to Russian forces.
At a September news conference, Mr. Kuzminov said he changed sides because he opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He said Ukraine had offered him $500,000 (£397,000) in state cash, new documents, and family protection.
Ukrainian authorities stated that Mr. Kuzminov had been offered the opportunity to stay in the country.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council, said, “He would have undoubtedly been protected here. Moreover, I do not believe they have behaved as disgracefully here as they have in Spain.”
Although Russian authorities have not made an official statement, Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, said on Tuesday, “That traitor and criminal was a moral corpse.”
Russian state television broadcast an interview purportedly with a Russian intelligence officer stating, “It is unlikely that Mr. Kuzminov will live long enough to stand trial,” a few months after his defection.
