Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot who switched allegiance to Ukraine, is set to receive a reward of approximately Hr 18.48 million in Ukrainian hryvnia, equivalent to $500,000, as announced by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov on Tuesday, September 5.
The 28-year-old pilot, who had already ensured his family’s departure from Russia, safely landed his Mi-8 helicopter at a Ukrainian airfield when he defected, as reported by Ukrainian media on August 23.
In April 2022, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law offering rewards of up to $1 million to Russian military personnel who transfer equipment to Ukraine, with the reward amount depending on the type of equipment provided.
Kuzminov spoke at a press conference regarding the operation on September 5, explaining that his decision to defect stemmed from his unwillingness to contribute to what he perceived as crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. He expressed admiration for Ukraine as a “wonderful country.” He initiated contact with Ukrainian military intelligence and was promised security for himself and his family, financial support, and new documents if he defected.
Kuzminov revealed that his parents supported his defection and have since joined him in Ukraine. He also sought to dispel Russian propaganda claims about Ukraine, emphasizing that there are no fascists or Nazis in the country.
This defection resulted from a meticulously planned long-term operation by Ukrainian military intelligence to bring both the Mi-8 helicopter and its pilot to Ukraine.
The story was featured in the documentary “Downed Russian Pilots,” which aired on Ukrainian television on the evening of September 3, shedding light on the planning and execution of the landing. Kuzminov used this platform to encourage other Russian pilots to follow his lead.
“If you do what I did, this kind of thing, you will not regret it at all. You will be provided for the rest of your life with absolutely everything,” Kuzminov said.
Kuzminov provided “valuable evidence about Russia’s army aviation, communication systems, and airfield network,” according to the documentary.
“When Ukraine officially calls on the Russians to go over to our side together with the equipment, it is not propaganda. It is not a lie. It is the truth,” Yusov added during the press conference on Sept. 5.
