Personal demonstrative murder – political scientist on the death of Russian pilot Kuzminov

Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov was found dead in Spain. In August 2023, with the assistance of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region, he transported a Mi-8 helicopter from Russia to Ukraine. This operation is known under the code name “Tit”.

If we analyze this situation as a whole, it plays into the hands of the Russian information machine. Political scientist Andrei Vigirinsky spoke about this 24 Channel, noting that the death of the pilot can be used by the occupiers to scare other fighters.

< h2 class="news-subtitle cke-markup">What could have happened to the pilot

In the understanding of the Russians, Maxim Kuzminov allegedly went over to the side of the enemy, he “betrayed” the military personnel with whom he served. Now he was shot, so for the occupiers this may look like restoration of justice. Now we do not have sufficient information, but only know that the person was probably eliminated.

They write that he is a citizen of Ukraine, then Kuzminov probably received citizenship. “He had the opportunity to leave the territory of our state and settle in Spain,” the political scientist noted. allegedly betrayed their oath. They could identify him, determine his location, and then all that remains is causing death.

If you believe the reports of 12 shots that were fired, also that he was then run over by a car – all this speaks of a personal, demonstration murder, and not a murder due to some domestic circumstances, – Andrei Vigirinsky suggested.

He added that this could be a kind of reminder for Russian fighters not to go over to the side of Ukraine, because they could supposedly be found in any corner of the world. Therefore, in addition to revenge, we see the so-called “educational process” for other occupiers.

They also talk about another version with a cover. That is, to form the image of a deliberate murder, and then have the opportunity, for example, to change appearance, place of residence and go to another country or even continent,” said the political scientist.

This version cannot be rejected, but the question is whether it will be publicly investigated. However, the facts that are already known, that the car that allegedly ran over the pilot was found burnt, indicates planning, and not an accidental murder.

“Well, then the question remains open – who could have carried out such a crime on the territory of a country of the European Union. This could have been done by gangster formations from different countries, not necessarily units of Russia, because there are enough hired killers all over the world,” Vigirinsky emphasized.

What is known about the Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov

• The Main Intelligence Directorate spent 6 months preparing an operation to lure a Mi-8 helicopter to Ukrainian territory. On board was a 28-year-old Russian pilot who agreed to hijack the helicopter and transfer it to Ukraine. The aircraft landed in the Kharkov region in August 2023.
• In addition to the helicopter, our country then received valuable information, as well as parts for aircraft. The two other Russians who were on board did not know where they were flying. As a result of the operation, they had to be liquidated. The family of Maxim Kuzminov was transported from Russia to Ukraine in advance.
• Subsequently, the pilot gave several interviews in which he said that he condemned Russia’s actions and considered the war to be genocide against Ukrainians. He noted that since the full-scale invasion, 15 to 20 pilots he knew had been killed. Kuzminov added that among his acquaintances there were pilots who refused to carry out criminal orders, but they were immediately detained by law enforcement officers.
• In October 2023, propaganda media wrote that the main intelligence agency of Russia allegedly has an order to liquidate Maxim Kuzminov. The occupiers called him a “traitor” and said that “he would not live to see the trial.”
• The death of the pilot became known on February 19. He was allegedly shot 12 times in Spain. Then he was run over by the killers' car. The Main Intelligence Directorate only confirmed the fact of Kuzminov’s death.