2024-02-23 17:08 Compiled by United Daily News Zhou Chenyang/Reporting in real time
Russian and Spanish media recently reported that Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine in 2023, died in an underground parking lot in Spain. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on the 22nd, quoting sources from the country’s intelligence community, that assassins sent by Moscow shot Kuzminov dead. The only question is which unit planned the incident.
According to news reported by Agence France-Presse, Western intelligence services have “no doubt” that Kremlin agencies are “behind this unprecedented crime.” The only question is whether the external intelligence agency “SVR” (SVR), the internal intelligence agency “Federal Security Service” (FSB) or the General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (GRU) carried out the operation.
Intelligence sources interviewed admitted that it would be “very difficult” to find evidence showing Russia’s guilt. Spanish diplomatic sources pointed out that the incident was “very serious.” If Moscow’s involvement is confirmed, Spain will respond “strongly”.
Instigated by the General Intelligence Service (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Kuzminov defected on a Mi-8 helicopter in August 2023. Two other colleagues who were traveling with him did not know this and were killed while trying to escape. After appearing in Ukrainian propaganda activities, Kuzminov became anonymous and moved to Villajoyosa in southern Spain. On the 13th, his body was found on the ramp of an underground parking lot of a local apartment.
Agence France-Presse pointed out that the shooting occurred in a heavily populated area of Russia. The relevant authorities initially thought it was “settling an old score.” The body was covered with six bullet holes. It was reported that fingerprints were used to identify him as Kuzmi. Nov. The Western intelligence officer believed that the assassin who had taken action was an assassin who had already left the country, and a total of 6 shots were fired. The murderer then drove Kuzminov’s car over the body and fled. Authorities later found the car completely burned in a nearby town.
Kuzminov (pictured), a helicopter pilot of the Russian army, defected to Ukraine in August 2023 and was arrested on the 13th…
After the news came to light, a GUR spokesman confirmed Kuzminov’s death. The SVR praised Kuzminov’s death but did not confirm or deny involvement. Spain’s interior ministry declined to comment, and officials have so far refused to confirm that the victim was Kuzminov. The local police responsible for the investigation said there was no new information about the case.
Ukraine Russia Russia-Ukraine War
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2024-02-23 09:08:07