Pilot who hijacked Russian military helicopter has been found dead in Spain.
Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR), confirmed to Kyiv Post the death of Russian pilot Kuzminov, who seized control of a Russian armored combat Mi-8 helicopter and brought it safely to an airbase in the Kharkiv region back in August of 2023.
“We can confirm the fact of death,” Yusov told Kyiv Post, providing no additional details.
According to Russian media, Maksim Kuzminov was shot dead, with at least five bullets in his body. He was found in an underground parking lot in the municipality of Villajoyosa, in the province of Alicante, Spain.
⚡️BREAKING: The Main Intelligence Directorate (#HUR) confirmed the death of Russian pilot #Kuzminov, who hijacked the #Mi8 helicopter for #Ukraine.
"We can confirm the fact of death," Andriy Yusov, HUR representative, told Kyiv Post. pic.twitter.com/7BDNg6GqJY
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) February 19, 2024
Last August, Ukrainian intelligence conducted a successful operation “Titmouse”: Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov voluntarily brought an Mi-8 helicopter from Russia to Kharkiv region, into the hands of awaiting Ukrainian military intelligence.
According to HUR’s documentary, Ukrainian military intelligence facilitated a safe corridor for the helicopter’s flight. However, the pilot sustained injuries during the capture. Two other crew members chose “not to surrender and lost their lives upon landing.”
