A Russian pilot who modified sides within the battle to affix forces with Ukraine has reportedly been discovered lifeless in Spain, based on media studies in Russia and Ukraine.

The physique of Maksim Kuzminov was mentioned to have been found by the Spanish Civil Guard in Villajoyosa, Alicante, on February 13.

The story from the Russian state media has been verified by the Ukrainian outlet Kyiv Post, who say that’s the identical Russian pilot who defected from his nation to affix the Ukrainian military.

Ukrainian intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov on February 19 confirmed that Kuzminov had been killed after their Main Intelligence Directorate had been in a position to confirm the data they acquired from Russia: “We can confirm the fact of death,” Yusov mentioned in a remark to RBC-Ukraine.

Kuzminov‘s physique was discovered on February 13 on the seashore of Villajoyosa within the Alicante-based coastal resort. He had sustained a number of gunshot wounds, one thing that the police linked to a settling of scores.

According to police studies, the homicide occurred on the exit ramp of the storage of an city space the place the person resided.

As of but, there was no affirmation from Spanish media sources that the physique belongs to the Russian pilot, and a few media studies solid doubt that the age of the deceased matches Kuzminov‘s.

Russian pilot’s defection to Ukraine in his personal helicopter

The Russian pilot determined to defect to Ukraine in August 2023.

It was an operation carried out by the Ukrainian intelligence and the rationale given for the pilot’s resolution was “not wanting to collaborate with the invasion”.

He voluntarily flew an Mi-8 helicopter from Russia to Ukraine for the Ukrainian navy intelligence. The operation was not restricted to this trade, however the pilot was assured the acquisition of a brand new id, witness safety and a money sum of round $500,000 to begin his new life.