New details emerge as Spain investigates assassination of defected Russian pilot
Russian special services or unidentified "professional individuals" may be involved in the murder of Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine on Mi-8 helicopter, according to a report by VilaWeb, a Catalan news outlet, on Feb. 21.
Kuzminov was killed in the municipality of Vila-Joiosa, where local business owners relayed their shock and described the area as typically peaceful to reporters. Reporters spoke with a supermarket vendor and a restaurant owner in the municipality of Vila-Joiosa, where Kuzminov was killed. A Russian filming crew showed up at the murder scene on Feb. 20, claiming they wanted to get reactions from neighbors and learn more about Kuzminov's life.
The pilot suffered at least five gunshot wounds in the underground parking garage of a high-rise building, with indications he was shot on the second floor before collapsing near the first-floor ramp. The presence of a silencer is suspected as a gardener nearby reported not hearing any gunshots. Security footage showed a vehicle entering and exiting the garage, which was later found burnt out, suggesting a professional hit squad was responsible.
The Spanish authorities are investigating the murder, with the Civil Guard looking into the case. There has been no confirmation on whether Kuzminov had any special protection in Spain. The investigation initially treated the murder as a targeted killing, El Español, a Spanish newspaper, reported earlier.
Kuzminov's friends revealed that he had "feared dying in the war" and sought discharge from the army even before the war in Ukraine started, but he was denied. After defecting, he feared capture. Kuzminov's mother had left Russia before his defection, and he was posthumously accused of "state treason" by the Russian military committee, with relatives of two crew members who died demanded he be executed for his actions. "If Maxim really did what he did, I hope they find and kill him," said the wife of one crew member.
Russian Telegram channels and media widely shared reports on Feb. 19, citing Spanish media, that Maxim Kuzminov had been killed in Spain. Reports of Kuzminov's assassination were widely circulated by Russian Telegram channels and media on Feb. 19, citing Spanish sources that he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was found near a burnt-out car. The area where Kuzminov was found is known to be home to many foreigners, including Ukrainians and Russians.
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