Defected Russian helicopter pilot Kuzminov killed in Spain with Makarov pistol, run over by car –NYT
The Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who brought the Russian Mi-8 helicopter into Ukraine, was killed with a Makarov pistol, after which he was run over by a car, reported The New York Times with reference to Spanish investigators who are conducting the probe.
According to the investigation, two men, who are still unidentified, probably took part in the murder.
On the morning of February 13, a white Hyundai Tucson pulled up to the underground parking lot of the building where Kuzminov lived.
The car was parked between the elevator and the ramp leading to the street. The men waited for Kuzminov for several hours, the NYT notes.
Around 4:20 p.m., he pulled into the garage, parked, and walked toward the elevator. The attackers got out of the car, called Kuzminov and shot him six times, the newspaper writes. The wounded man took a few steps and fell on the ramp. Leaving the scene of the crime, the assailants moved the body of the victim.
"I will find you, I will kill you, I will run you over and humiliate you," said a senior official of Spain's Civil Guard.
Later, the NYT continues, the Hyundai Tucson was found burned a few meters from Kuzminov's home. As experts found out, the car was stolen two days before the murder.
At the scene of Kuzminov's murder, the police found shell casings from 9 mm cartridges for Makarov's pistol. The publication indicates that this may be important evidence or even a "message" as this is standard ammunition for the countries of the former communist bloc.
Later, the identity of the pilot became known: Kuzminov took part in a press conference and gave an interview. He said that the special operation "Synytsia" lasted half a year. All this time he was in contact with the HUR, and his mother was already living in Kyiv at that time. When asked what will happen next, he said that he will be paid $500,000 and new documents will be made as part of the state program.
On February 13, Spanish media began reporting on the murder of a 33-year-old Ukrainian citizen, whose name was not disclosed. At the time of the special operation, Kuzminov was 28 years old.
On February 19, the pro-Russian Italian outlet Il Corrispondente reported on the killing of an ex-military officer, the information was also spread by other propaganda sources. Subsequently, the representative of military intelligence Andriy Yusov confirmed the data about Kuzminov's death in a comment to LIGA.net.