In Ukraine, a defecting Russian pilot who delivered a Mi-8 helicopter to the Kiev armed forces will have received a reward of half a million US dollars (around 463 thousand euros). Military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said on television today that the money would be paid in the national currency, the hryvnia. He called on other Russian military personnel to follow suit.
Ukrainian media have been reporting for days on the case of the 28-year-old Russian, who is also appearing in public. The secret service persuaded the young man to defect in a long special operation. Ukraine has an official list of military equipment awards that can be awarded to Russian soldiers. A tank costs around US$100,000. In Russia, on the other hand, launch bonuses are paid for aircraft, tanks and other weapons.
According to the Internet portal “Ukrainskaya Pravda”, the helicopter landed in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine. Two uninitiated crew members were killed. The pilot was said to be in Ukraine with his family, who had previously fled Russia. The helicopter, which had spare parts for Russian fighters on board, is also still in the country. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression with Western military aid for more than 18 months.