A Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine said his helicopter crew panicked when they realised what was happening but couldn't stop him as he was the only one who could fly it

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A still from an video showing who Ukraine says is a Russian helicopter pilot who defected with his aircraft to Ukraine.
A still from an video showing a pilot Ukraine says defected with his helicopter.

YouTube/Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

The Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter said he flew 32 feet above the ground to avoid being seen and turned off his transponder, per the WSJ

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Composite photo of a Mi-8 helicopter and Russian pilot who defected.
Left: A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter in Russia on January 19, 2022; Right: The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine published a video interview with a man identified as a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter last month.

Left: REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov; Right: Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

Russian pilot who defected with stolen fighter jet spare parts gets $500,000 reward from Ukraine

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A screen grab of Maxim Kuzminov.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine published a video interview with Maxim Kuzminov, the Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter last month.

Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

Ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton says Vivek Ramaswamy reminds him of Trump and blasts both GOP candidates over their foreign policy acumen: 'They might as well be in kindergarten'

Tech Insider : Politics
John Bolton
Former National Security advisor John Bolton.

LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images

Zelenskyy's wife opened up about how Russia's war on Ukraine is stressing their marriage: 'This may be a bit selfish, but I need my husband'

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska on their way to a social dinner during the 2023 NATO Summit in Lithuania.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska on their way to a social dinner during the 2023 NATO Summit in Lithuania.

Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine said he did it to avoid being involved in 'genocide'

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A screen grab of Maxim Kuzminov.
A man identified as Maxim Kuzminov by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, seen in a video interview published on September 3, 2023.

Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

5 costly mistakes the Russian military has made since it invaded Ukraine

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Russian military
Russian servicemen patrol the destroyed part of the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol on May 18, 2022.

OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Russian infighting may have led to Ukraine retaking a key town in its counteroffensive: report

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Ukrainian tank
Ukrainian T64 tanks move towards Bakhmut direction, in Donetsk Oblast region, on March 20, 2023.

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

The Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter is encouraging other Russians to do the same, promising they'll be taken care of for life

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A screen grab of Maxim Kuzminov.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine published a video interview with Maxim Kuzminov, the Russian pilot who it said defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter last month.

Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

Photos show miles of Russia's infamous 'dragon's teeth' defenses that are holding up Ukrainian forces

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Maxar satellite imagery showing a Russian fortifications, including dragon's teeth and trenches, along a coastline.
Maxar satellite imagery shows Russian dragons teeth obstacles and trenches along the beach just west of Yevpatoria, Crimea in March.

Maxar Technologies

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