Russian security services (FSB) announced that they had thwarted an alleged Ukrainian attempt to hijack a Russian military helicopter by recruiting its pilot.
Convince Pilot to Defect
According to FSB statements, Ukrainian military intelligence sought to convince a Russian Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopter pilot to defect and deliver the helicopter into Ukrainian-controlled territory.
FSB revealed that the Ukrainian agents instructed the pilot to poison the remaining crew members before flying the helicopter across the frontline, according to Digi24.
Although the FSB did not disclose when this operation took place, they claimed that information gathered from the attempted recruitment allowed Russian forces to strike Ukrainian positions.
Accusations Fly Back and Forward
This incident follows a similar claim by FSB in July, when they reported stopping a Ukrainian plan to hijack a strategic bomber.
In that case, FSB alleged the pilot had been offered financial rewards and Italian citizenship in return for his cooperation.
Such cases are part of a broader pattern, as Ukraine has been accused of regularly attempting to recruit Russian military personnel.
In 2023, a Russian helicopter pilot, Maksim Kuzminov, defected to Ukraine in a Mi-8 helicopter, reportedly because of his opposition to the war. However, Kuzminov was found dead in Spain in early 2024 under unclear circumstances.
Russia has faced repeated accusations of eliminating political adversaries domestically and abroad, although Russian authorities have consistently denied involvement in such actions.
Ukrainian intelligence similarly accuses Russia of plotting to destabilize its leadership. In May, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced it had dismantled a network of FSB agents allegedly planning to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The SBU reported arresting two Ukrainian officers involved in this plot.
