The apparent violent death of a Russian pilot whose dramatic defection was touted by Ukraine highlights the safety risks of those who loudly resist Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour.
Maxim Kuzminov flew a Russian Mi-8 helicopter into Ukrainian territory last year and then defected. Six months after that operation was made public, Ukrainian authorities say he has died in Spain.
A man’s body was found riddled with bullets, inside a garage, in southeastern Spain on Feb. 13. Police believe Kuzminov is the victim, though an official identification has not yet been made.
In Moscow’s first comments on the case since news emerged of the killing, the head of Russia’s
