Russian pilots who defected to Ukraine turned out to be lured with prizes of IDR 7.65 billion
– Maksym Kuzminov, a pilot Russia who defected from his home country, will receive a large reward from Ukraine. The 28-year-old soldier was enticed by billions of rupiah in cash from Moscow's sworn enemy.
Kuzminov surrendered to Ukraine last month. He brought with him a Mi-8 helicopter and stolen fighter jet parts from Russia.
The Insider page reported that 6 months before his arrival in Ukraine, Kuzminov had already flirted with Kiev and started his defection plan. Not only that, his family has also been transferred from Russia.
Now, Ukraine will reward him with US$500,000 or around IDR 7.65 billion. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, Andrii Yusova, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
EuroMaidan Press reported that the Ukrainian Parliament in April last year began initiating a program to persuade Russian soldiers to defect from their country. Kiev will also offer a reward to Moscow soldiers who are willing to bring stolen combat equipment from Russia of up to 1 million US dollars (Rp. 15.3 billion). Kuzminov was the first soldier to receive such an award.
“What is happening now is simply genocide (ethnic genocide) against the Ukrainian people,” Kuzminov said in a video released by Ukrainian Defense Intelligence.
Pilot Rusia yang Membelot ke Ukraina Ternyata Diiming-imingi Hadiah Rp7,65 Miliar
– Maksym Kuzminov, pilot Rusia yang membelot dari negara asalnya, bakal mendapatkan imbalan besar dari Ukraina. Prajurit berusia 28 tahun itu diiming-imingi uang miliaran rupiah oleh musuh bebuyutan Moskow tersebut.
Kuzminov menyerah kepada Ukraina bulan lalu. Dia membawa serta sebuah helikopter Mi-8 dan suku cadang jet tempur curian dari Rusia.
Laman Insider melaporkan, 6 bulan sebelum kedatangannya ke Ukraina, Kuzminov sudah bermain mata dengan Kiev dan memulai rencana pembelotannya tersebut. Tak cuma itu, keluarganya juga telah dipindahkan dari Rusia.
Kini, Ukraina bakal menghadiahinya sebesar 500.000 dolar AS atau sekitar Rp7,65 miliar. Hal itu diungkapkan oleh juru bicara Intelijen Militer Ukraina, Andrii Yusova, seperti dilansir The Kyiv Independent.
EuroMaidan Press melaporkan, Parlemen Ukraina pada April tahun lalu mulai memprakarsai program untuk membujuk para tentara Rusia agar membelot dari negara mereka. Kiev pun bakal menawarkan hadiah kepada prajurit Moskow yang bersedia membawa peralatan tempur curian dari Rusia hingga 1 juta dolar AS (Rp15,3 miliar). Kuzminov adalah tentara pertama yang menerima penghargaan seperti itu.
“Apa yang terjadi sekarang hanyalah genosida (pembantaian massal etnik) terhadap rakyat Ukraina,” kata Kuzminov dalam sebuah video yang dirilis oleh Intelijen Pertahanan Ukraina.