A recently discovered body is thought to be that of a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine in the past, according to Spanish police.
The victim, who was discovered in the municipality of La Cala on February 15 with multiple gunshot wounds, is being identified by Spanish authorities as Russian defector Maksim Kuzminov.
Kuzminov abandoned his post and entered Ukrainian territory via an army helicopter flight over the front lines the previous year. Sukhoi fighter aircraft components had been loaded onto the Mi-8 AMTSh helicopter.
Speaking to local news outlets, Ukrainian military spokesman Andrii Yusov confirmed Kuzminov’s demise.
Alexei Danilov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, reportedly advised Kuzminov to remain in Ukraine after he defected, citing the possibility of Russian agency attack should he leave the country.
Officers of the Spanish Civil Guard discovered the body, which had been struck by six bullets and was then struck by a vehicle.
Authorities claim that documents identifying Kuzminov as an unrelated 33-year-old Ukrainian national were also deposited with his remains.
After commencing the investigation, the police developed a strong conviction that the documents were fabricated and started to suspect that Kuzminov was, in fact, the victim.
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