Ukraine updates: Defected Russian pilot discovered useless in Spain

A Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine final 12 months has been discovered useless in Spain, in keeping with Ukraine‘s navy intelligence spokesperson.

Spokesperson Andriy Yusov made the feedback in regards to the demise of Maxim Kuzminov to Ukraine’s public broadcaster however didn’t present additional particulars.

Spain’s EFE information company reported {that a} physique discovered on February 13 in Villajoyosa, close to Alicante in southern Spain, was that of Kuzminov, citing sources near the investigation.

EFE reported that Kuzminov —who landed in Ukraine in a completely geared up Mi-8 helicopter final August — had been residing in Spain with a Ukrainian passport however below a special id.

At the time of his defection, Kuzminov mentioned he had been provided safety ensures, new paperwork and a reward.

Two Russian crew — who have been additionally on the flight however unaware of the plan to defect — have been killed after touchdown, in keeping with Ukraine’s navy intelligence.

“In Russia it is customary to speak either good of the dead or nothing at all,” Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), was quoted in Russian media as saying when requested about Kuzminov.

“This traitor and criminal became a moral corpse at the very moment when he planned his dirty and terrible crime,” he advised TASS information company.

kb/nm (dpa, EFE, Reuters, AP, AFP)