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For half a year, the Ukrainian secret service and the Russian pilot Maxim Kusminow hatched a spectacular plan: the 28-year-old would have to transfer to the other side with his combat helicopter.
On August 23, Kuzminov landed his Mi-8 helicopter at a Ukrainian airport in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. There he handed over his helicopter to the Ukrainian armed forces. For the first time, Kuzminov gave details of his escape in an interview on Ukrainian television.
Ukraine rewarded him for his defection
He says: “I contacted the Ukrainian secret service and described my situation. I was offered security guarantees, new documents and financial compensation in exchange for my defection.”
Finally, he waited for a good opportunity, which presented itself when he was on a mission near the border. He gave his coordinates to the Secret Service, turned off the radio and crossed the border at low altitude.
But there was a problem: his co-pilots were unaware of the plan and tried to dissuade Kuzminov from doing so. “No one understood what was wrong with me,” says the Russian pilot.
“There are no Nazis or fascists here”
Upon arrival, the crew is met by the Ukrainian armed forces. According to the head of the secret service, Kirill Budanov, the two co-pilots tried to flee – and were killed in the process. However, the circumstances of her death are not discussed. Budanov says: “We would have preferred to catch them alive, but that’s the way it is.”
In an interview, the pilot appealed to his former colleagues in the Russian army: “The truth is that there are no Nazis or fascists here. It’s a real shame what’s happening here. Murder, tears, blood. People just kill each other. I don’t want to be a part of it,” he says.
Kuzminov urges other Russian military personnel to surrender as well. “You will be taken care of for the rest of your life. You will be offered a job everywhere, whatever you want to do. You just discover a world full of colors.” (neo)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
