Maksim Kuzminov, the Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine, is set to receive a reward of the Ukrainian currency, hryvnia, equivalent to $500,000 (approximately Hr 18.48 million), as confirmed by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov on Tuesday, September 5.
Landing his Mi-8 helicopter fully intact at an airfield in Ukraine when he defected, the 28-year-old pilot had already ensured the safe departure of his family from Russia, as reported by Ukrainian media on Aug. 23.
In April 2022, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law offering up to $1 million to Russian military personnel for transferring equipment to Ukraine, with the reward amount depending on the type of equipment provided.
Speaking at a press conference on the operation on Sept. 5, Kuzminov explained that he defected because he “did not want to contribute” to the crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, a country he considers “wonderful.”
He initiated contact with Ukrainian military intelligence and was assured of security for himself and his family, financial support, and new documents upon defection.
Kuzminov revealed that his parents supported his decision to defect and have also joined him in Ukraine.
He expressed his desire to dispel Russian propaganda claiming the presence of fascists or Nazis in Ukraine and lamented the loss of contact with his former Russian comrades, expressing his wish for them to understand the truth about Ukraine.
The successful defection was the outcome of a long-term operation by Ukrainian military intelligence to bring the Mi-8 helicopter and its pilot to Ukraine.
The events leading to the landing were documented in the film “Downed Russian Pilots,” which aired on Ukrainian television on the evening of Sept. 3, where Kuzminov encouraged other Russian pilots to follow his lead.
Kuzminov encouraged others by saying, “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’s defection provided “valuable evidence about Russia’s army aviation, communication systems, and airfield network,” as revealed in the documentary.
Andrii Yusov emphasized the truth behind Ukraine’s call for Russians to defect, stating, “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,” during the press conference on Sept. 5.
