Russian military pilot reportedly defects to Ukraine with helicopter

A Russian military helicopter has landed in Ukraine, reportedly after the pilot was convinced to defect in a six-month intelligence operation.

A Russian military blogger said a helicopter had crossed the border with three people on board “a couple of weeks ago”, but claimed the aircraft had lost its way.

The twin-engine Mi-8 AMTSh was on a flight between two airbases, transporting parts for Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets, Ukrainska Pravda newspaper reported, citing defence intelligence sources.

The pilot’s family had already been moved to Ukraine as part of the defection operation and he would join them, it said. Both crew members were killed, the Russian blogger and Ukrainian reports said.