A Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with his helicopter is found dead in Spain, shot several times

A man found dead in Villajoyosa, Alicante, may be the missing Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine last August, according to reports from Ukrainian media. The Ukrainian military intelligence has confirmed the death of the pilot, although they did not disclose the exact location. The victim was found with gunshot wounds, and it is believed to be a murder related to personal conflicts. However, Spanish authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased and are conducting an investigation. The age of the body found does not match the age of the missing pilot, raising doubts about the alleged connection. The Russian pilot, Maksim Kuzminov, would currently be 28 years old. The defector played a significant role in bringing a Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine, along with sensitive documents and equipment. His motive for defection was opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and he had expressed a desire to leave the army before the war began. Friends of Kuzminov claim that he feared being captured in Ukraine. The pilot’s actions led to treason charges in Russia and calls for his execution from the families of his deceased crew members. The situation surrounding the pilot’s death remains unclear, with further investigations needed to establish the true identity of the deceased.