On the 7th of March, at night, military forces of the National Guard captured the pilot of a Russian fighter aircraft. Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleh Synehubov informed this news through his Telegram channel.
“The pilot is the Deputy Commander of the Aviation Regiment stationed in Voronezh. He is one of the main participants and witnesses of the Russian aggressor's crimes against Ukrainian civilians. He personally carried out three flights between Ukrainian cities Izium and Balakliya (Kharkiv oblast). [The] Russian pilot has turned in his coordinators and told about unlawful orders”,- Synehubov told.
Updated(10:49). The captured pilot appeared to be lieutenant colonel Maksym Serhiiovych Heshtok - deputy commander of the 47th regiment.
His dislocation was Voronezh, and the regiment commander was Colonel Loboda.
In total, they had 24 aircraft and about 15 workers.
Heshtok personally made three flights - between Izium and Balakliia and 15 km north of Kharkiv.
"Visual contact with the target was once - saw a clear field. After that, other flights were performed in the clouds. The last flight was at night, "said the Russian pilot.
Asked if they understood that there was light masking and that there could be peaceful people downstairs, Heshtok replied: "I work according to the coordinates that are given to me as orders."
A Russian soldier was passed on to the district police department in Kharkiv for further investigations.
There were two pilots in the aircraft; both were alive. The second one still manages to hide in the city. The search continues.
As mentioned earlier, Russians continue to shell Kharkiv; there were 8 casualties overnight.