Pilot Who Hijacked Mi-8 for Ukraine Murdered in Spain
The investigation into the killing of Russian military pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who fled to Ukraine in Spain, has not found new leads, according to El Pais newspaper.
Consensus
- Maxim Kuzminov was murdered in February 2024 in a residential building in the province of Alicante, Spain.
- The investigation into Kuzminov's murder has been halted due to lack of evidence.
- No suspects have been identified in the case.
- The murder occurred in a residential building, near an elevator.
- Kuzminov had previously hijacked a Mi-8 helicopter from a Russian airbase in Kursk in August 2023 and fled to Ukraine.
- He later moved to the Spanish town of Villajoyosa, where he was living at the time of his death.
- The case was officially suspended in December 2025.
- The only physical evidence found was bullet casings from a Makarov pistol.
- The vehicle used by the perpetrators was later found burned.
- Kuzminov's body was buried in an unmarked grave in southern Spain.
Points of divergence
- Two unknown individuals entered the residential complex on the morning of February 13, 2024, and shot Kuzminov near the elevator. — kommerstant
- Kuzminov's mother participated in the identification procedure of his body. — vm
- Ukrainian authorities advised Kuzminov not to leave the country to avoid risking his life. — kommerstant
- Kuzminov was advised by sources that he had gone to a place he should not have and done something he should not have done. — kommerstant
- The investigation was officially terminated due to lack of suspects. — vesti
- The investigation has reached a dead end due to lack of leads. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- El Pais: Spanish police found no leads in the case of Kuzminov's murder — Вечерняя Москва
- El Pais: Investigation into the killing of Mi-8 hijacker pilot Kuzminov has hit a dead end — Коммерсантъ
- Investigation into the murder of traitor Kuzminov in Spain has been discontinued — Вести