Pilot Kuzminov, who flew helicopter from Russia to Ukraine, was shot with Makarov pistol and run over by car - New York Times
Spanish investigators have provided new details of the murder of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who had flown an Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine. There is circumstantial evidence that the killers were hired by Russia.
According to Censor.NET, the New York Times reports.
The murder of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov in Spain has raised fears that Russia is once again targeting its enemies. The pilot had delivered a helicopter to Ukraine.
Those behind the murder wanted to send a message. The publication notes that this was obvious to investigators in Spain even before they knew who he was. The killers not only brutally shot him six times, but also drove their car over his body.
The NYT notes that Kuzminov was killed with a Makarov pistol, 9mm shell casings from which were found by police at the scene. The investigation is currently ongoing, with special units involved. The main version is still considered to be the revenge of the Russian special services for the cooperation of the Russian serviceman with the DIU.
The murder of Kuzminov in the Spanish town of Villajoyosa has raised fears that Russia's European spy networks are still active and targeting the Kremlin's enemies. Senior police officials noted that the murder bore the hallmarks of such attacks linked to the Kremlin.
In particular, the assassination of a former Chechen rebel commander in Berlin in 2019 and the poisoning of former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in 2019 in England.
The Spanish authorities did not disclose that Kuzminov was the victim. But there was no question among the community of Russian and Ukrainian expatriates living in Villajoyosa who was behind the death.
Previously, Russia tried in every possible way to conceal its involvement in such deaths, but Kuzminov's case is different, as it was spoken about almost with hidden joy.
"Russia will intensively spread propaganda - they are already doing it - that all traitors will be found. This is a hidden message to other Russian citizens, especially military personnel, that we will find you if you betray us," said one Ukrainian official.
On 23 August 2023, it was reported that a Russian Armed Forces Mi-8 helicopter ended up in Ukraine as a result of a special operation. The pilot of the Mi-8 was 28-year-old Maxim Kuzminov. He received a reward of $500,000 in hryvnia equivalent.
On 19 February 2024, Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed that Maksym Kuzminov was found dead in Spain.
