this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
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A Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year in a secret operation has been found dead in Spain, according to the main military intelligence agency in Kyiv.

Reports in Russian and Spanish media on Monday said Maksim Kuzminov was found dead after allegedly moving to the town of Villajoyosa in Alicante on the Mediterranean coast, in an area popular with holidaymakers. His body was discovered last Tuesday, it was said, on the car park ramp underneath an apartment block.

The reports claimed he had been murdered by unknown gunmen who fired 12 shots. A burnt-out car was discovered nearby in the Costa Blanca town of El Campello. Spanish police had initially thought the shooting was gang-related before reportedly learning of the victim’s extraordinary backstory and his former role in Russia’s war and invasion.

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[–] d00ery@lemmy.world 104 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I think the guilty party could only be more obvious if he'd fallen out of a window...

[–] Maalus@lemmy.world 22 points 9 months ago

Yeah, that's the point of making an example of someone. Russia is a mafia mascarading as a country.

[–] Nerrad@lemmy.world 90 points 9 months ago (1 children)

At least he died on the correct side of history.

[–] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 35 points 9 months ago

You know it is small condolences, but still not nothing. I would hope that I will be able to say that for myself.

[–] PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works 86 points 9 months ago (2 children)

That’s really scary to think they tracked him down like that. Like it’s one guy, let it go.

[–] Hegar@kbin.social 120 points 9 months ago

It's way more than one guy, it's an example.

[–] grabyourmotherskeys@lemmy.world 57 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You aren't dealing with a government (although they also let nothing like this go), it's organized crime on a grand scale.

[–] TheEighthDoctor@lemmy.world 69 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Russia continues to kill in European soil with 0 consequences.

[–] Rooter@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I don't know why we are beating around the bush for so long, we need to declare war on Russia already.

[–] ExfilBravo@lemmy.world 17 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Because everyone is afraid they will use nuclear warheads when the conventional war fails for them.

[–] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 23 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Which is not an unreasonable fear unfortunately.

[–] Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Except it is an unreasonable fear.

Putin has a dysfunctional nuclear arsenal. His ancient systems have been maintained by notorious black market scalpers for the last 50 years. Fuel, electronic components, chassis components, nav and guidance system components, sensors and other parts are valuable. It is extremely unlikely that even a single delivery system would survive launch and make it to its destination, even if the advanced global defense systems in place completely ignored it.

If he detonated a tactical nuke instead (because his international delivery systems would fail), he would not be able to cause enough destruction to punish the EU for fighting him. He simply does not have the physical leverage EU citizens give him credit for. All he has is sabre-rattling and overt threats.

He has been bluffing for decades now. If no one ever calls his bluff, he will win. He is coming for the EU. Will the EU let him have what he wants, or will they call his bluff?

[–] Cinner@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Let's say that's true and only a few USSR era nukes are maybe working, there's no refinery happening, and China and North Korea are only willing to give them 3 nukes each for a total of 8 ICMBs (surprise, 2 were newly refined and functioning perfectly). Now they have 8 ICBMs with nuclear payloads and the backing of China, Iran, and North Korean nuclear satellite capabilities.

Which major city or strategic military post would you prefer they hit with the one that gets past defenses?

Which one does it take to start WWIII?

[–] Rooter@lemmy.world -3 points 9 months ago

You're right, we should just give up and hand russia all of Europe.

[–] uis@lemm.ee 5 points 9 months ago

Putin already dclared war on Russia

[–] Zeroxxx@lemmy.id 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Who volunteer to fight? You?

[–] Rooter@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

100% yes, I would.

[–] Flumpkin@slrpnk.net 0 points 9 months ago

Well Europe is massively supporting and supplying Ukraine with weapons. De facto Russia is in a proxy war with the US/Nato/EU.

[–] FrostyCaveman@lemm.ee 25 points 9 months ago

He looks so young. War is terrible

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 9 points 9 months ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


A Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year in a secret operation has been found dead in Spain, according to the main military intelligence agency in Kyiv.

Reports in Russian and Spanish media on Monday said Maksim Kuzminov was found dead after allegedly moving to the town of Villajoyosa in Alicante on the Mediterranean coast, in an area popular with holidaymakers.

Spanish police had initially thought the shooting was gang-related before reportedly learning of the victim’s extraordinary backstory and his former role in Russia’s war and invasion.

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s GUR intelligence agency, said his officers had persuaded Kuzminov to defect during an elaborate six-month operation.

Some Russian commentators close to the Russia’s defence ministry claimed reports about Kuzminov’s killing were planted by Ukraine’s intelligence services to fake the pilot’s death.

In 2006, two killers working for Moscow’s federal security service, the FSB, poisoned the Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko with a radioactive cup of tea.


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