How was a Russian Mi-8 Hip pilot able to defect to Ukraine?

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (HUR) has published new details regarding the daring operation that was carried out by the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) Mi-8AMTSh Hip tactical transport helicopter pilot, who defected to Ukraine last month. Operation ‘Synytsya (Tit)’ – what is possibly one of the most daring and remarkable HUR operations of recent months – resulted in the first known RuAF pilot to defect to Ukraine, along with their Mi-8AMTSh Hip tactical