Spanish intelligence services “have no doubt” that there is “no doubt” behind the mysterious death of Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who fled to Ukraine in a military helicopter, according to sources cited by the daily newspaper El Pais and quoted by The Moscow Times.

Opponent of the conflict in Ukraine, Maksym Kuzminov, made headlines last August when he escaped in a Russian army Mi-8 helicopter and crossed territory controlled by Ukraine.

While flying from the base in the Kursk region, he claimed in a video released by the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (UMI) in September that he was flying at “extremely low altitude, in radio silence mode” so as not to be detected.

Two fellow soldiers, unaware of his plans to desert, were killed when they tried to escape after landing in Ukraine.

A deserter Russian pilot was found shot by a local resident in Alicante

As the Spanish newspaper ABC reports, the body of a citizen of Ukraine with multiple bullet wounds was discovered by a local resident near the garage of a house in the town of La Villajoyosa in Alicante.

Shortly afterwards, a burnt-out car was found in the nearby town of El Campello, which could have been used by the alleged killer, the BBC reports.

This week, Spanish police confirmed that the man shot was Kuzminov.

Military intelligence of the GUR of Ukraine confirmed the death of Kuzminov, but did not specify the cause.

“The Only Doubt”

“The only doubt among experts is whether the operation was the work of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), … the Federal Security Service (FSB) … or the Military Intelligence Service (GRU),” he said. , referring to three Russian special services.

Sources cited by the Spanish publication said that Kuzminov was probably killed by professional assassins from outside Spain, who later fled abroad.

The sources added that they “do not believe” that Russian SVR and GRU agents based in Madrid, some of whom were expelled after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, were directly involved in the killing.

Anonymous diplomatic sources told El Pais that Spain would give a “decisive response” if the investigation confirmed the involvement of the Russian authorities.

The murder of Kuzminov, set by Russia as an example

Russia used Kuzminov’s murder as an example to other potential traitors and to avenge the deaths of two military colleagues, according to sources consulted by El Pais.

This week, Russian media released information from anonymous sources that revealed Kuzminov’s identity after first reports of his death under an assumed Ukrainian name.

On Thursday, the Spanish newspaper El Periodico published a photo of Kuzminov’s Ukrainian passport in the name of 33-year-old Ihor Shevchenko.

Moscow celebrated the death of Kuzminov.

“Traitor” wanted by Russian special forces

“This traitor and criminal became a moral corpse at the very moment when he was planning his dirty and terrible crime,” SVR head Serhiy Naryshkin said on Tuesday, without confirming or denying Russia’s involvement.

In October, Russian state television reported that the GRU had “received an order” to remove Kuzminov.

“It’s only a matter of time,” said a journalist for Russia’s First Channel after speaking with Russian special forces who said they were looking for a “traitor.”

On Tuesday, the Kremlin said that they had no information about Kuzminov’s death. (photo source Dreamstime)