Pilot Who Hijacked Russian Military Helicopter Entered Spain with Fake Documents

Pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who hijacked a Russian military helicopter in 2023, entered Spain last year using a Ukrainian passport in the name of Igor Shevchenko in October. This was reported by El Periódico, which published a photograph of the identification document.

The document in question is genuine, although it contains false information, and was issued on September 22, 2023. The passport states that the man was born in 1990, five years earlier than he actually was.

According to the newspaper’s version, it is not excluded that Kuzminov's death might be the work of common criminals rather than a spy-related incident.

Spanish special services have not officially been informed that pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who hijacked the Russian military helicopter in 2023, has arrived in Alicante province, where he is believed to have been found dead on February 13. This was reported by El Pais, citing government sources.

According to them, Kuzminov has not been under the protection of Spanish authorities, unlike Ukrainian servicemen who are receiving training or medical treatment in the Kingdom. It was noted that he made the decision to settle in an area with a significant number of immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, which, according to the newspaper's sources, was a mistake.

On February 19, the Spanish EFE news agency, referencing sources familiar with the investigation, confirmed Kuzminov's death in Spain. The fact of his death has also been confirmed by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense's Main Intelligence Directorate.

However, the authorities of the Pyrenean kingdom have not yet officially confirmed that the deceased is Kuzminov. The press service of the Spanish Civil Guard reported to TASS that law enforcement agencies are investigating the murder of the 33-year-old Ukrainian citizen in that autonomous community. The body was discovered with gunshot wounds. Law enforcement agencies have not ruled out that the documents found on the man could have been fake.