In a chilling turn of events, Maxim Kuzminov, the Russian helicopter pilot who made headlines last August for defecting to Ukraine, was found shot dead near his home in Spain last week, Ukrainian intelligence officials confirmed on Monday.
Kuzminov’s Journey to Defection
The 39-year-old former Russian Air Force officer’s defection to Ukraine was a high-profile story that captured international attention. Disheartened by Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Kuzminov took matters into his own hands in a daring act of resistance.
On August 9, 2023, Kuzminov piloted his Russian Mi-8 helicopter across the border into Ukrainian-controlled territory near the city of Zaporizhzhia. With him were two other crew members who were unaware of his plan. As the aircraft landed, the stunned crew members attempted to run back towards the Russian border, prompting Ukrainian forces to open fire in confusion, killing them both. Kuzminov was also shot in the leg during the incident but survived.
At a press conference weeks later, Kuzminov said he had been in contact with Ukrainian intelligence for some time, planning his defection under the codename “Operation Synytsia.” He cited his moral opposition to the war in Ukraine as his motivation to switch sides.
In return for his defection and the intelligence he provided, Ukraine promised Kuzminov $500,000 in state payments, new identity documents, and protection for his family. Ukrainian authorities say they offered him the opportunity to remain in the country under their security.
Assassination in Spain
After defecting, Kuzminov opted to relocate to the coastal Spanish town of Villajoyosa rather than stay in Ukraine. It was near a property there that his body was discovered last week by Spanish police, accompanied by documentation bearing a false identity and Russian nationality.
A burnt-out vehicle suspected to have been used by his assailants was found nearby. Spanish authorities refrained from publicly confirming Kuzminov’s identity, stating only that the victim appeared to be residing under an assumed name.
“We confirm the fact of his death,” a spokesperson for Ukrainian intelligence told Ukrainian news outlet Ukrayinska Pravda. “He decided to move to Spain rather than remain here. What we know is that he invited his ex-spouse to join him and then he was found shot to death.”
Ukrainian security chief Oleksiy Danilov lamented the loss, stating, “He would definitely have been protected here. And I don’t think that they have behaved as disgracefully here as they did in Spain.”
Credible Threats
In the months following his high-profile defection, Kuzminov had become the target of thinly veiled threats from Russian officials and state media. Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, called Kuzminov “that traitor and criminal” who was “a moral corpse.
More ominously, Russian state TV aired a segment featuring a man purported to be a Russian intelligence officer who warned, “I don’t think he’ll live long enough to face trial.
Despite the dangers, Kuzminov chose to start a new life in Spain rather than remain under Ukrainian protection. The brutal assassination suggests his past ultimately caught up with him in his adopted home country.
Questions Over Security
Kuzminov’s death has raised questions about the security measures in place to protect high-profile Russian defectors and their families. Both Ukraine and Western nations have programs and protocols to safeguard those who turn against the Kremlin. But as this case demonstrates, determined Russian operatives can still strike even in ostensibly safe third countries.
Spanish police have launched an investigation, and Ukraine has vowed to assist in hopes of tracking down those responsible for this brazen killing. With Russian agents suspected, catching the perpetrators could prove challenging.
Kuzminov’s story underscores the grave personal risks taken by Russians who openly turn against Vladimir Putin’s regime. His death will likely make others contemplating defection think twice. It sends an unambiguous message that even those granted new identities and living in the safety of NATO countries may not be out of the Kremlin’s reach.
