Spanish authorities were unaware of pilot Kuzminov’s presence — Defense Minister

 The government of Spain was unaware that pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who hijacked a Russian military helicopter in 2023, was in the country, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said.

"He arrived freely, and the government had no confirmation that this man stayed here, in Spain," the minister said, according to EFE.

Previously, El Pais reported, citing governmental sources, that the Spanish intelligence was not officially informed that Kuzminov arrived in the Alicante Province, where, presumably, he was found dead on February 13. According to El Periodico, the man entered Spain in October, 2023, under a Ukrainian passport with fake name and birth date.

On February 19, the EFE confirmed, citing its sources close to the investigation, that Kuzminov died in Spain. His death was also confirmed by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (GUR).