Colleagues spoke about the past of pilot Kuzminov, who hijacked an Mi-8 to Ukraine

Baza published a large material, dedicated to the 28-year-old pilot of the Russian Armed Forces Maxim Kuzmin, who flew a Mi-8 military helicopter to Ukraine. The publication says that journalists were able to talk with his colleagues and other acquaintances and get from them characteristics of his character.

As follows from the publication, Kuzminov’s classmates at the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School describe him as a “typical athlete” who “started up at the drop of a hat,” was “very fussy,” but at the same time did not show any oddities. According to classmates, he “didn’t stand out in any way academically,” but “always wanted to fly,” and overall he was an “ordinary guy.” The teachers also reportedly did not notice anything unusual about the cadet.

Kuzminov’s colleagues at the base in Chernigovka in the Far East gave a similar description of the “calm guy.” Also, some Baza sources stated that the pilot asked not to give him “anything serious” and wanted to do more “peaceful tasks” like transporting cargo. Some interlocutors of the publication believe that Kuzminov was simply afraid for his life, others – that this was due to his “moral and psychological considerations.”

Baza cites the opinion of a close friend of Kuzminov, who stated that he was “afraid of dying” because “many of his comrades died before his eyes.” It is also alleged that Kuzminov even before the SVO wanted to leave the army, but the contract had to be completed. The same named friend stated that six months before the hijacking of the helicopter, Kuzminov allegedly told his fiancee that he would soon earn a lot of money, but the girl did not pay attention to this and, allegedly, did not know about his plans.

As for Kuzminov’s political views, some Baza sources claim that he has never spoken out either for or against the SVO. Others said that he allegedly admitted that he was afraid of being captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. One of his friends said that Kuzminov joined the army to fly, but never wanted to take part in hostilities.

“All Maxim’s colleagues and acquaintances interviewed by Baza called the hijacking of the Mi-8 a betrayal,” the Baza publication says. Among others, the following quote is given: “Not only did he betray his homeland, he, most importantly, betrayed his crew.”

During a recent press conference that Kuzminov gave after ferrying the helicopter to the Ukrainian Armed Forces position, it was announced that two other members of the Mi-8 crew did not know about the secret plan. It was alleged that after landing they resisted and were possibly killed. There is no official information about the fate of the pilots.

Baza also writes that Kuzminov’s mother left Russia at the beginning of the year, without explaining anything to her relatives or employer. Sources claim that the woman “categorically did not support” the actions of the Russian authorities from the very beginning and was worried about the SVO.

Russian special operation in Ukraine: online broadcast September 15