Russia is misusing its military assets intended to support frontline units in Ukraine, according to a former Russian pilot who defected to Kyiv.
Maksim Kuzminov, who chose to side with the war-torn nation, recalled an incident where a Russian commander used two military helicopters to transport his pet cat during the war.
He said an Mi-8 chopper airlifted the feline for around one hour from Rostov to Yeysk air base, while another helicopter provided cover.
There were also six military personnel accompanying the pet because it has “some impressive pedigree.”
Kuzminov said a lot of fuel and resources were wasted because of the incident.
“Our commander needed to transport a cat… To do this, two Mi-8 and Mi-24 [helicopter] crews were assigned,” he said, as quoted by The Independent. He described the incident as an example of senior leaders living “for their own pleasure.”
‘A Real Disgrace’
Kuzminov called Moscow’s ongoing war with Ukraine and the “illogical” use of military assets a “real disgrace” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He disapproved of his former commander-in-chief’s justification for the “special military operation,” saying there were no Nazis or fascists in the first place.
“It’s a real disgrace what is happening here,” he exclaimed. “Murder, tears, blood. People are simply killing each other. That’s all I can make of this and I don’t want to be a part of it.”
Kuzminov was reportedly paid half a million dollars for defecting to Ukraine and bringing with him an Mi-8 helicopter and some fighter jet spare parts.
