Russian Pilot Who Defected To Ukraine Urges Fellow Russians To Follow Suit For Lifetime Support

The Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine, landing a Mi-8 AMTSh helicopter at a Ukrainian airbase, has spoken out publicly for the first time, encouraging others to defect as well, Business Insider reported.

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence identified the defector as Maksym Kuzminov, a former captain in Russia’s 319th separate helicopter regiment.

Kuzminov revealed in a video interview that he had coordinated with Ukrainian military intelligence to orchestrate his defection, part of a covert operation dubbed “Synytsia.”

“I contacted representatives of the intelligence of Ukraine, explained my situation. I was offered security guarantees, new documents, monetary compensation, a reward,” Kuzminov said.

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Kuzminov’s defection comes amid Ukraine’s efforts to incentivize Russian soldiers to defect since the war began in February 2022. The Ukrainian parliament passed a law last year under which defecting Russian soldiers are provided financial rewards.

Kuzminov denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s propaganda about the war and urged other Russian military members to defect.

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