The Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine with a Mi-8 helicopter and fighter-jet parts spoke publicly for the first time this week about how he pulled off his daring escape.

The Ukrainian defense agency identified the pilot as Maksym Kuzminov, a 28-year-old former captain in Russia's 319th separate helicopter regiment.

The Defense Intelligence on Sunday published a documentary on YouTube titled "Downed Russian Pilots" that detailed the defection plot.

The legislative bill passed by the Ukrainian Rada last year also promised "secrecy, a safe stay in Ukraine, and support in obtaining new documents and leaving for a third country" for any Russian soldiers who abandoned their post.

The Defense Intelligence's write-up of Kuzminov's interview didn't mention the other members of his crew who were taken by surprise when the helicopter landed in enemy territory.

When it occurred to the two crew members that they were in Ukraine, almost 200 miles from the front line, they started to freak out and tried to run, Ukrainian officials told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty last month.

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