By KYIV. Sept 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian intelligence in the documentary film “Downed Russian Pilots” told the details of the Synytsia (Tit) special operation, during which a Russian pilot flew a Mi-8AMTSh helicopter of the Russian Aerospace Forces to the territory of Ukraine, the press service of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said on Facebook.
“I contacted representatives of the Ukrainian intelligence service, explained my situation. I was offered security guarantees, new documents, monetary compensation, remuneration. We discussed the details and started planning my flight,” a 28-year-old Russian captain, commander of the Mi-8 helicopter Maksim Kuzminov said.
According to the pilot, the risky operation was kept secret and successfully completed, since Ukrainian intelligence was able to organize a safe corridor.
“I realized that I was near the border, that is, I transmitted my location. (…) I flew at an extremely low altitude in radio silence. Nobody knew what was happening to me. Probably for three or four days no one understood what happened. It flew successfully, landed,” the Russian pilot said.
It is indicated that 28-year-old Kuzminov served in the 319th separate helicopter regiment of the army aviation of the aggressor state in military unit No. 13984 with a permanent deployment point in Primorsky territory of Russia.
According to the intelligence agency, Kuzminov calls the main motive for his act a categorical rejection of the aggressive war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine, as well as an unwillingness to be involved in war crimes:
“What is happening now is simply the genocide of the Ukrainian people: both Ukrainian and Russian. The basis of my act is not to contribute to these crimes. I know perfectly well how this will end: Ukraine will definitely triumph in this war simply because that the people are very united. The whole world helps, because it understands that, first of all, human life must be valued. (…) Nobody wants this war,” he said.
Kuzminov urges other Russian pilots to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the intelligence agency reminded that our state provides all the security guarantees and remuneration provided for by international law, Ukrainian legislation and relevant state programs to pilots from Russia who will transport serviceable aircraft here.
As previously reported, the Mi-8 helicopter of the Russian Armed Forces was captured by the Ukrainian special services as a result of a special operation by the Main Intelligence Agency, which lasted more than six months. The helicopter landed in Kharkiv region, along with the pilot, there were two crew members on board who did not know where he was actually flying, and were subsequently eliminated. The board made a flight between two air bases and transported parts to the Su-27, Su-30SM fighters.
