Ukraine Confirms Russian Pilot Defected with Mi-8

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate has confirmed to press that a Russian pilot has defected with an intact Mi-8. Directorate Head Budanov elaborated that Ukrainian intelligence convinced the pilot to defect not only with his aircraft, but also with parts for the Su-30 and Su-27. The pilot departed his base and flew to two fighter bases where he seized the parts. Then he flew to Ukraine with two other crew members who were not part of the plot. Once the pilot landed, Ukrainian troops were forced to kill the crew members who resisted. Budanov said: