Spain convinced Russia behind Kuzminov’s assassination – report
Spanish intelligence services believe that the murder of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who had defected to Ukraine with his Mi-8 military helicopter, is the work of the "long arm of the Kremlin," Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Feb. 22.
The newspaper’s sources say that if the Russian government's involvement in the pilot's death is confirmed, the Spanish authorities "will provide a decisive response."
Read also: New details emerge as Spain investigates assassination of defected Russian pilot
The article notes that Russian media reported Kuzminov’s death even before his identity was established by Spanish law enforcement.
According to the journalists’ sources, experts are yet uncertain whether it was an operation by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Security Service (FSB), or military intelligence. Spanish intelligence sources also admit that it is "very difficult for the investigation to find evidence implicating any of them." They suspect that the murder was committed by armed individuals who arrived from abroad and have already managed to flee the country.
The article adds that Spanish intelligence believes the Russian embassy in the country did not participate in the operation to avoid exposure. Sources believe that "professionally hired mercenaries" were involved in the killing.
Read also: Russian pilot linked to helicopter hijack murdered in Spain, branded ‘traitor’ by Russian official
Such a crime also required prior surveillance operations — Russian agents had to check the victim's identity and monitor him. Insiders from Moscow's intelligence services told journalists that they often collaborate with Russian citizens living in Spain (there are over 80,000) and mafia organizations. The sources added that Kuzminov's decision to settle in an area with a large Russian population was a mistake.
“If Kuzminov thought he could remain unnoticed among 600 Russians and over 300 Ukrainians registered in Vilajoiosa (according to the 2022 census), it was trivial for them to recognize or suspect him as a Russian national," the article reads.
Government sources also reported that more than 4,000 Ukrainian military personnel who underwent military training in Spain and dozens of people receiving medical treatment are under the protection of Spanish authorities. Kuzminov, however, decided on his own to settle in Vilajoiosa.
On Aug. 23, 2023, Kuzminov landed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Poltava Oblast, surrendering the aircraft to Ukraine. Official sources later confirmed this was the conclusion of a six-months-long operation by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.
In addition to the aircraft itself, the transfer included spare parts for Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets.
On Feb. 19, Russian Telegram channels and media outlets had published reports about Kuzminov's murder in Spain, citing Spanish media reports. Publications claimed he sustained between five to 12 gunshot wounds. Authorities also discovered a burned-out car that "disappeared from the scene after the murder." According to neighbors, the area where the body was found is home to many foreigners, including Ukrainians and Russians.
Later, Ukrainian intelligence confirmed that the Russian pilot had died.
The newspaper El Periódico reported that Kuzminov had a Ukrainian passport with a fictitious name, Ihor Shevchenko.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
