Operation Synytsia

Operation Synytsia was an intelligence operation conducted by Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) to secure the defection of Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot serving in the 319th Separate Helicopter Regiment. According to accounts attributed to Kuzminov and GUR officials, he began sympathizing with Ukraine after studying the history of the Russo-Ukrainian war while stationed in the Amur region, and in early 2023 made contact with Ukrainian intelligence to arrange his escape. Planning reportedly lasted more than six months and included covertly relocating Kuzminov's family out of Russia.

On 9 August 2023, Kuzminov was flying a Mi-8 loaded with spare parts for Su-27, Su-30SM, and Su-35 fighter jets from Kursk airfield toward the Kharkiv region. Per his own account, he flew at low altitude in radio silence and was struck by small-arms fire, which he attributed to the Russian side, sustaining a leg wound before landing near Poltava, Kharkiv Oblast. Two other crew members aboard — an onboard technician and a navigator — were reportedly unaware of Kuzminov's defection plan. GUR head Kyrylo Budanov stated that after landing, the other crew members attempted to flee and were spotted and killed by Ukrainian soldiers. Russian sources cited in the Wikipedia article offered a differing account, suggesting wound positions indicated the two men were shot at close range, possibly by Kuzminov before landing. The two men killed, Khushbakht Tursunov and Nikita Kiryanov, later received posthumous Russian Orders of Courage after Russia obtained their bodies through negotiations in September 2023.

Ukrainian officials publicized the operation in stages: a Russian Ministry of Defense-affiliated Telegram channel first reported on 23 August 2023 that a pilot had "gotten lost," which Budanov confirmed hours later was a defection. On 4 September 2023, GUR released a documentary revealing further details and Kuzminov's identity, and intelligence representative Andriy Yusov announced Kuzminov would receive a $500,000 reward, security guarantees, and eventual Ukrainian citizenship. Budanov characterized the operation as unprecedented in Ukrainian history.

On 13 February 2024, a man's body — later confirmed as Kuzminov's — was found with bullet wounds in an underground parking garage in Villajoyosa, Spain, having reportedly also been run over by a car. He had been living under the assumed identity Igor Shevchenko. Western analysts cited in the Wikipedia article considered it likely he was assassinated by Russia's SVR intelligence service. Spanish newspaper El País reported that Spanish authorities had provided Kuzminov with forged documents but no protection guarantees, and that he may have been exposed after calling an ex-girlfriend to invite her to the region. In December 2025, a Spanish court indefinitely suspended the investigation into his death, citing a lack of suspects. <parameter name="timeline">[ {"date": "2022-10", "event": "Kuzminov deployed to occupied Ukrainian territories, first to Mariupol, then Berdiansk."}, {"date": "2023", "event": "Kuzminov establishes contact with Ukrainian intelligence in early 2023 and begins planning his defection."}, {"date": "2023-08-09", "event": "Kuzminov flies a Mi-8 helicopter from Kursk airfield toward Kharkiv region, lands near Poltava; two crew members are killed by Ukrainian soldiers after landing."}, {"date": "2023-08-23", "event": "Russian Ministry of Defense-affiliated Telegram channel Fighterbomber reports a pilot had 'gotten lost'; Budanov confirms defection hours later."}, {"date": "2023-09-04", "event": "GUR releases documentary 'Down Russian Pilots' revealing details of the operation and Kuzminov's identity."}, {"date": "2023-09-05", "event": "Ukrainian intelligence representative Andriy Yusov announces Kuzminov will receive a $500,000 reward and security guarantees."}, {"date": "2023-09", "event": "Russia obtains the bodies of the two killed crew members after negotiations."}, {"date": "2024-02-13", "event": "Kuzminov found dead with bullet wounds in Villajoyosa, Spain."}, {"date": "2025-12", "event": "Spanish court indefinitely suspends investigation into Kuzminov's death, citing lack of suspects."} ]