KYIV, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency deliberately lured a Russian military pilot to land his Mi-8 helicopter at a Ukrainian airfield, spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on Wednesday, amid differing media reports of what happened.
A successful operation to capture a working Russian helicopter and its pilot would represent an audacious coup for Ukraine, allowing it to simultaneously replenish its limited aviation stocks while also potentially getting valuable intelligence on the Russian air force.
The report said the helicopter landed in eastern Ukraine with the pilot.
Ukrainian military journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that the Mi-8 helicopter had landed at a Ukrainian air base "some time ago", citing unnamed sources in the Ukrainian military command.
In April, Ukraine's domestic security service accused a number of Ukrainian military personnel of treason after what it said was an unsuccessful attempt to lure a Russian pilot to land at a Ukrainian air base, which led to a lethal Russian missile strike on that location in July 2022.
Persons:
Ukraine's, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Yuriy Butusov, Butusov, GUR, Max Hunder, Nick Macfie
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Fighterbomber