Russian deserter found "with gunshot wounds" in Spain. Russian pilot sought protection from Russia in Spain - now he is apparently dead.
The dead man is said to be a 28-year-old former Russian helicopter pilot named Maxim Kuzminov. He flew to Ukraine with two other soldiers in a Russian Mi-8 army helicopter. Shortly after landing, the other two crew members were shot while trying to escape. In return he received 460,000 euros and security guarantees. State television in Moscow reported in the fall that the Russian secret service had received the order to kill the man.