Russian Mi-8 helicopter defector pilot flies nearly 100km in Ukraine before landing.

According to an article by Alona Mazurenko in Ukrainska Pravda, Kyrylo Budanov, the Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, has revealed that a Russian pilot defected and cooperated with Ukrainian Defence Intelligence by flying a Mi-8 AMTSh helicopter nearly 100 km into Ukraine, landing in the Kharkiv region after covering a distance of nearly 100km on August 23rd. Budanov stated that the pilot is in good spirits and is inclined to remain in Ukraine. The pilot is set to play a prominent role in an upcoming film produced by Defence Intelligence, scheduled for release on September 7th.

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Left: the Russian Mi-8 ATMSh in Ukraine after his pilot defector landed. Right: Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (Picture source: Ukrainska Pravda)

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Military Intelligence, later announced on the Telegram messaging app that this event marked the successful conclusion of a six-month-long intelligence operation. Budanov was asked about the strategies employed to persuade the Russian pilot and the specifics of the special operation. He explained that they managed to establish rapport with the pilot, ensuring the safe extraction of his entire family without detection. This allowed the pilot to seize control of the helicopter, along with its unsuspecting crew. Tragically, the crew attempted to escape and were killed, preventing their capture. Despite this, Budanov expressed contentment with the outcome and praised the defector's well-being. The pilot has indicated a preference to remain in Ukraine.

Budanov clarified that the pilot is not being detained or confined and emphasized the tangible nature of the helicopter's presence and the pilot's existence. He announced plans to showcase the helicopter and allow interaction with the pilot through an "official film" set for release. Furthermore, a documentary disclosing the operation's details is scheduled for release on September 7th, coinciding with Defence Intelligence's anniversary. The defector pilot skillfully navigated the helicopter at very low altitudes, using recognizable landmarks for guidance. The Mi-8 "62 Red" helicopter is part of the 2nd helicopter squadron of the 337th separate helicopter regiment (military unit 12739) based at Tolmachevo airport.

Budanov hailed this operation as one of the most successful in the history of Ukraine's intelligence agency, marking the first instance of such a successful operation in the country. He confirmed the helicopter's current location in Kyiv and its role in transporting spare parts for Russian fighter jets, specifically Su-27 and Su-30 SM models. In addition, the cargo included a DMR-400T system, which is designed to work with generators and starter generators of direct current with a voltage of 28.5V and a power of up to 12 kW. All these parts were being transported between Russian airbases, providing a cover story for the pilot's escape. Images published by Ukrainskaya Pravda depicted the Mi-8 helicopter in a field along with some of its cargo, including essential electronic components.

This operation became viable after Ukrainian intelligence operatives orchestrated the safe evacuation of the pilot's family from Russia to Ukraine, ensuring their safety and eliminating potential repercussions. Renowned pro-Ukrainian war reporter Yuriy Butusov highlighted the significance of the pilot's decision to defect with the helicopter, as it represented the deliberate surrender of such equipment by the Russian Federation.