Top Ukrainian ex-official found DEAD in pool at same Spain complex as assassinated Putin defector pilot who fled Russia
Igor Hrushevsky, an ex-employee of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, was mysteriously
Spain
.
8
Maxim Kuzminov was a Russian who defected to Ukraine
Credit: Wikipedia
8
A swimming pool in the residential area of La Cala de Villajoyosa, where both Hrushevsky and Kuzminov were found dead
Credit: Darren Fletcher
8
The chopper pilot is said to have been assassinated by thr Russians
8
Kuzminov was on Putin's most-wanted list after being paid a reported £400,000 to steal his Russian military chopper and defect to Ukraine
Credit: Wikipedia
Ihor was swimming in the pool of a residential complex called Cala Alta in
Villajoyosa, south of
It is the same building where
was apparently shot dead after he defected to Ukraine in an Mi-8 helicopter.
The Kremlin was accused of carrying out
Hrushevsky was found face down in the water, with no signs of life.
more on Russia
Though he was bleeding from one ear.
Locals rushed to pull him out of the water and performed CPR, but failed to save his life, according to local media outlet
The cause of death has not been revealed yet.
Hrushevsky's death comes just 18 months after Russian defector Kuzminov was killed inside a garage allegedly by Putin's hitmen.
Most read in The US Sun
Ruben, a local worker, told The Sun he discovered the
army
captain, 28, in a pool of blood soon after what is believed to have been a brazen Kremlin-ordered hit job.
The ruthless despot's hitmen are said to have
Ukraine
in August 2023.
From 'moving' corpse & corruption scandal to quick 'suicide' story: 5 glaring questions in gun death of Putin minister
The Sun was given access to the eerie murder scene yesterday, where
He was dispatched in cold blood by six shots from a pistol believed to have been fitted with a silencer just a 10 minute drive from Benidorm's party strip.
We walked his final
steps
around 50 metres to the spot where his body was found just short of the parking garage's electrically-operated metal doors.
Kuzminov was on Putin's most-wanted list after being paid a reported £400,000 to steal his Russian military chopper in a major propaganda coup for
Ukraine
.
He had been given a new identity and joined a large community of Russian speakers living in and around Benidorm using a Ukrainian passport with the name Igor Shevchenko.
Ukraine's military intelligence later confirmed it had courted him to defect, as Kuzimov appealed to other pilots to follow his lead.
In an interview broadcast by Ukraine's authorities, Kuzimov said: "I contacted representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, explained my situation, to which they offered this option: 'Come on, we guarantee your safety, guarantee new documents, guarantee monetary compensation, a reward.'"
8
The garage where Kuzminov was found dead
Credit: Darren Fletcher
8
Cops at the scene where the pilot was found dead
Credit: Reuters
8
Kuzminov fled Russia in a £15million helicopter after killing his two co-pilots, according to Russian media
Credit: East2West
The defector is believed to have moved to a flat which he was renovating and hoped to start a new life in the Benidorm suburb of Villajoyosa.
Despite the continuing carnage between their nations in Eastern
Europe
, Russians and Ukrainians live side-by-side in
Spain
alongside British ex-pats and trippers.
But Spanish
police
believed a Kremlin death squad had infiltrated the community and is standing by to liquidate more Putin enemies.
Russian state media sensationally claimed Kuzminov shot and killed two of his crewmates who did not support him before he touched down in Ukraine.
Their names were Nikita Kiryanov, 28, and Khushbat Tursunov, 35.
Reports also alleged Putin's GRU military intelligence agents had orders to 'eliminate' him, no matter how long it took.
The same GRU unit was allegedly behind the botched nerve agent attacks on
8
Russia's threats to Kuzminov's life were aired on Russian TV
Credit: East2West
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Heart-stopping moment hero runs in front of train to rescue man who collapsed on track with just a second to spare
THIS is the heart-stopping moment a hero runs in front of a train to rescue a man who collapsed over the tracks. The brave onlooker makes a desperate dash to drag the man to safety a split second before the pair are smashed into. Advertisement 5 The dramatic moment a hero pulls a man away from an incoming train at the last second Credit: East2West 5 The train rushes on past with the lifesaver keeping a tight grip on the collapsed individual who appears passed out Credit: East2West 5 The moment the man falls headfirst over onto a train track in Russia Credit: East2West The man, believed to be Russian, can be seen stumbling towards the active tracks as the bright lights of the passenger train appear in the distance. As the man approaches he suddenly stops before balancing on one leg as the train continues to hurtle towards him. Seconds later, he falls forwards and collapses head first onto the line. It is unclear what made the man fall to the ground with it believed to have been a sweltering 30C in Derbent, Russia, at the time. Advertisement read more in Russia With his body draped over the tracks a heroic bystander leaps into action and runs directly over the tracks with the train mere feet away. He miraculously manages to grab a hold of the man as he lays motionless on the ground and drag him onto the grass next to the track. The train then rushes on past with the lifesaver keeping a tight grip on the collapsed individual who appears passed out. A search is now underway for the unidentified good samaritan. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper have even put out a notice saying: "The hero is being sought so that he can be honoured." Watch shock moment car get trapped on railway crossing before train speeds through A similar chilling ordeal unfolded last year as a hero commuter was seen jumping on to railway tracks CCTV captured the three-year-old walking along the platform last month and starting to lower himself over the edge before falling on to the track as a desperate adult runs towards him. Former Big Brother star Mikey Hughes was also Advertisement The veteran reality star was at Hyndland station in Glasgow when the scary incident happened. He admits he is "lucky to be alive" as he only suffered a few bruises and no bones were broken. 5 The hero got to the man as the train was mere feet away from hitting them both Credit: East2West 5 The bright lights of the train can be seen coming closer to the man as she stumbles towards the tracks Credit: East2West Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Russia 'preparing to invade new European country' as NATO fears grow
An expert has raised concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be eyeing up another European nation, as the continent remains on edge over possible Russian expansionism. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in June that Russia is laying the groundwork to potentially justify moves against Moldova and the Baltic states, citing a supposed obligation to defend its "compatriots abroad". This rhetoric echoes the "Russkiy Mir" concept, which promotes the idea of a "Russian world" beyond its borders. This narrative, experts indicate, mirrors the one Putin employed to rationalise the full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022. In May, it was highlighted that Russian security forces were still engaging in covert operations against the US and its allies, seen as rehearsals for a more significant conflict with NATO. A cybersecurity warning was issued by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), alongside intelligence agencies from Germany, Czechia, Poland, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, and the Netherlands. It revealed that Russia's GRU had been targeting sectors such as defence, transport, and IT services in NATO countries, as well as Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Moldova president Maia Sandu. (Image: Getty) Putin next to Russian navy soldiers. (Image: Getty) Now, specialists are voicing concerns that Russia's ambitions could extend further into eastern Europe, reports the Express. "As a military intelligence analyst specialising in Putin's thinking and Russian military strategy, I agree with Rutte's assessment about Russia's readiness for another offensive military campaign in just a few years," penned Russian-born US intelligence expert Rebekah Koffler in The Telegraph. "I'm less convinced that a NATO country is likely to be the Kremlin's next target, unless the alliance directly intervenes in Ukraine by deploying troops onto the battlefield. "Nevertheless, what NATO does or doesn't do in the next few years could be highly significant in determining whether Putin decides to attack another post-Soviet state - such as Moldova." Koffler cautions that Russia aims to disrupt NATO's "network-centric approach to war" by focusing on the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and space systems that are crucial for the organisation's forces. She argues that member states must go beyond merely spending money and instead gain a deeper understanding of the alliance's weaknesses. Moreover, it's important to recognise that the Kremlin tends to employ indirect tactics in confronting its adversaries, rather than outright aggression. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
We live on Angela Rayner's old estate & we're desperate to move… druggies deal on my doorstep & teen girls are tooled up
WITNESSING another drug deal brazenly take place in spitting distance of her doorstep, a nervous mum hurriedly shuts her curtains. Terrified of 'reprisals' if she were to speak out, she and many other residents on the estate in the Advertisement 14 The Sun witnessed police arresting a teen suspected of carrying a knife Credit: STEVE ALLEN 14 Keiran Morgan and Zaki Shazad were jailed for a total of 34 years for a gangland shooting 14 Crime scene investigators analysing the scene at shop where a gang-related shooting took place in 2021 Credit: Adam Vaughan/MEN 14 Deputy PM Angela Rayner grew up in the area Credit: Jack Hill/The Times Meanwhile locals in neighbouring communities admit they fear walking the streets at night and complain of intimidating gangs of youths, drug-dealing, anti-social behaviour, stabbings, shootings and the menace of organised crime groups - known as OCGs. Stockport has traditionally seen much lower levels of gang activity than Manchester, and figures show it has the second lowest crime rate in Greater Manchester as a whole. When comparing crime rates across England and Wales, it is ranked 130th out of 313 areas for the 'most dangerous' place to live, with a rate of 80.7 crimes per 1,000 people. But the stats don't tell the full story, for while some of its affluent areas do indeed have low levels, it's more deprived districts are now crime hotspots – with a 2024 council report revealing it to be the eighth most polarised borough in England. Advertisement READ MORE FEATURES Two years ago there were a series of gangland hits which a judge said had 'all the hallmarks' of a dispute between serious organised criminals. Gunman Kieran Morgan, 30, used a sawn-off double shotgun to target two homes and a takeaway, where customers and staff were present. Morgan had acted on the orders of Zaki Shazad, 22, who, in turn, was said to be operating on behalf of an unidentified more senior criminal. Judge Jonathan Seely, at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, described the shootings as an 'increasingly terrifying phenomenon for the citizens of our country' when he jailed Morgan for 18 years and Shazad for 16 years in June. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'Bad families on every street' One of Stockport's so-called crime hotspots is the 'Brinny' estate in Brinnington, which has become notorious for its gangs of youths causing mayhem on e-bikes and scooters, while drugs and anti-social behaviour are everyday concerns. Some residents are too terrified to leave their homes at night and won't contact police due to fears they'll be labelled a 'grass'. Chilling moment schoolboy, 12, stalks playground brandishing HUGE knife in front of pupils shouting 'what ARE you doing' 14 Shuttered down shops near a 24-hour off licence, which causes locals extra concern Credit: STEVE ALLEN 14 The estate is famous for being where Angela Rayner and Phil Foden grew up Credit: STEVE ALLEN Advertisement 14 Kieran Morgan used a sawn off shotgun to fire into the burger bar where diners were eating Credit: STEVE ALLEN 14 CCTV footage caught Morgan on camera firing at a house Credit: GMP One woman, who didn't wish to be named, told The Sun 'there are bad families on every street', but the threat of 'reprisals' meant a lot of crimes go unreported. A mother collecting her child from a nearby school added: 'You see people who are on drugs or who've been drinking. Advertisement 'I certainly wouldn't walk around here at night. There are lots of kids on e-bikes and scooters and they're really dangerous because you can't hear them coming. 'There's also anti-social behaviour with kids hanging around, although it's not quite as bad as it used to be. 'I do think a bigger police presence would be a good thing.' 'Police here every day' Meanwhile residents in Shaw Heath, as well as those on the neighbouring Bridgehall estate, where Advertisement On the day The Sun visited Bridgehall, police were seen detaining a teenage girl who was suspected of carrying a knife. There's a lot of people around here on drink and drugs and they swear and say to you, 'What you looking at?' Sometimes I'm scared to look at people because of how they react Karen Robinson A mother-of-three, who didn't wish to be named, said she often witnessed drug deals taking place outside her house. 'Cars will pull up and people will get in so they can pretend to be friends,' she said. 'But it's obvious what's going on. I want to move because it's so bad. But it's hard to find a bigger home.' Advertisement She added that police are 'here every day' due to persistent anti-social behaviour but 'never do anything'. Her neighbour Steven Wood, 39, said he 'worries' about the older members of his family because of 'intimidating' gangs of drug-taking youths hanging around on the streets or in alleyways. 'It used to be lovely round here but it's not now,' he told The Sun. 'You're constantly on edge waiting for something to happen.' He added that his aunty had made a 'long list' of reports to police but 'nothing seems to get done'. Advertisement Bridgehall resident Karen Robinson, 48, whose daughter was in the same school class as Foden, said it can be 'uncomfortable' living on the estate. 'You look at people the wrong way and they can be a bit funny, a bit nasty,' she said. 'There's a lot of people around here on drink and drugs and they swear and say to you, 'What you looking at?' 'Sometimes I'm scared to look at people because of how they react. Advertisement 14 Karen Robinson, 48, says kids swear at her regularly Credit: STEVE ALLEN 14 Takeaway owner Mohammed Islam was run over and killed in an attempted car-jacking Credit: MEN Media 14 Connor Read, 19, admitted conspiracy to steal in connection with the killing of a takeaway owner Mohammed Islam Credit: MEN 'I've been on my own for nine years after my daughter left home, and I feel it's a place where I go in, shut my door and keep myself to myself. Advertisement 'I only really talk to my neighbour and the kids are really cheeky and swear at you and call you names. 'There's no respect at all with the younger generation.' She said there had been a recent machete attack on the estate and other violent incidents, including a taxi driver being stabbed, and she wanted to 'get out'. 'Gangs & guns' Nurse Amy Fletcher, 28, said she knew 'dodgy' activities took place on the estate and police regularly carried out raids. Advertisement 'Probably the worst thing is people stealing,' she said. 'I saw some kids up on a roof the other day. 'And I thought to myself, 'Please get down from there, that's not sensible'.' And another Bridgehall resident, who only gave his name as David, said: 'There are loads of kids around here who cause trouble. 'We've had problems for years with the e-bikes, scooters and anti-social behaviour. Advertisement 'They just don't care and taunt the police when they come round.' In January 2021 a carjacking led to a restaurant owner and father-of-three being run over and killed. It used to be lovely round here but it's not now. You're constantly on edge waiting for something to happen Steven Wood He'd tried to cling on to the car before he was sent 'flying' to the ground, with the car then running over his head as the 14-year-old behind the wheel, from Brinnington, 'floored' it. Advertisement Five teenagers - including Connor Read, 19 - were later sentenced for their role in the shocking crime. In June that year 'gang rivalry' spilled out into the streets of Cheadle Hulme when a 15-year-old gunman fired shots at a convenience store in broad daylight before pointing the gun at a delivery driver. Manchester Crown Court heard how Jacob Richards had become 'firmly entrenched in a culture of gangs and guns' and had 'bragged' about his crimes in raps. Richards also carried out a separate arson attack with fellow gunman Remico Embrack, 20, and was convicted for a catalogue of violent incidents in 2024. Advertisement County lines crackdown As far back as 2020, a Youth Violence Strategy report had warned of 'increasing levels of serious youth violence, criminal exploitation and working with children who identify themselves as having a gang affiliation'. Among its recommendations was early intervention and knife crime awareness sessions in schools, the identification of 'at risk' children and active policing in crime hot-spots. 14 A dilapidated and boarded-up home on Bridgehall Estate Credit: STEVE ALLEN 14 Amy Fletcher, 28, says there's a lot of 'dodgy' things going on in the area Credit: STEVE ALLEN Advertisement 14 The estate had been blighted by rising crime Credit: STEVE ALLEN Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and partners are supporting the Home Office's Safer Streets Summer Initiative, aimed at reducing crime across town centres and communities. The force has been involved in other initiatives and operations to tackle serious and organised crime. Programme Challenger sees them working with other agencies to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks, including drug lines, the buying and use of firearms and money laundering. Advertisement And Operation Venture, launched in 2023, sees officers working as part of a multi-agency team, which includes the Greater Manchester's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), and using a variety of tactics to tackle violence, particularly involving young people and knife crime. Last year it led to three men from Brinnington being charged as part of a crackdown on a county lines drug-dealing operation. Three separate incidents also led to five arrests and the recovery of a large amount of cash and drugs and the 'dismantling' of an OCG in the Shaw Heath area. On the one-year anniversary of Challenger, the force claimed to have made a 'sizeable impact' on reducing serious violence on the streets, with 452 arrests, 130 weapons recovered, and £250,0000 seized. Advertisement Superintendent David Henthorne, from Greater Manchester Police's Stockport district, said : 'Across Stockport on a daily basis, officers from a variety of teams undertake work to tackle criminality, lock-up those responsible, and help address the roots to these issues. I only really talk to my neighbour and the kids are really cheeky and swear at you and call you names Karen Robinson 'This includes our neighbourhood teams who immerse themselves in their communities, knowing who causes problems and when, and can appropriately patrol and monitor known hotspots to crack down on ASB, drug-dealing, and other offences causing misery in people's lives.' He wanted to encourage anyone in the community who was having issues to contact local officers or do so anonymously via Crimestoppers. A spokesperson for Stockport Council said: 'Stockport is a great place to live and work. We've been regularly recognised among the best places to live by national publications like the Sunday Times. Advertisement 'This data from 2017 doesn't reflect the Stockport of today: a borough being transformed through major investment and partnership working. 'We know feeling safe is fundamental to people's quality of life, which is why tackling crime and anti-social behaviour remains a priority for us and our partners. 'Through our One Stockport, One Future approach, working closely with partners and Greater Manchester Police, we're tackling the root causes of crime and inequality — building safer, stronger communities for everyone. We encourage all residents to report concerns and access support where needed.' A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said: 'Greater Manchester has a strong record of working in partnership to tackle serious and organised crime across the city-region, exemplified through Programme Challenger. Advertisement "There is no evidence to suggest the threat of serious organised crime is getting worse in Stockport. 'Wherever any localised issues arise we work in partnership with GMP and others through Programme Challenger to tackle this with local community organisations. 'There is also exemplary safeguarding work taking place in the borough through the Aspire Complex Safeguarding Team to protect children and young people from harm.'
