Pilot from "Wagner" [group] tells Ukrainian Security Service how he dropped bombs and how much Russia pays for it

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO — TUESDAY, 21 JUNE 2022, 12:39

According to the Security Service of Ukraine [SSU], a Russian mercenary pilot from the Wagner group [a network of mercenaries from Russia] managed to fight in Ukraine for three days, after which he was shot down by Ukrainian defenders using Igla MANPADS.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine

Details: Reports say that the occupier, Major Andrei Fedorchukov, made his first combat flight on 14 June, and was taken prisoner on 17 June.

Now he has told the SSU how he dropped bombs on Ukraine. At the same time, he tried to justify himself and said that it was only a matter of "task strikes on the bases, concentrations of forces and manpower of the enemy."

In general, the pilot flew 1-2 combat sorties per day.

He confessed that other mercenaries, who were not regular pilots from the Russian Federation, were flying Russian fighters worth more than 10 million US dollars.

Mercenaries earn a rate starting from 200,000 rubles [approximately 3500 US dollars] a month and additional bonuses for the number and "effectiveness" of their sorties.

Previously: On 18 June, the 72nd Separate Mechanised Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft using an Igla man-portable air defence system (MANPADS). 

The pilot of the downed Russian Su-25 attack aircraft ejected and was taken prisoner. During the interrogation, it turned out that he worked as a mercenary at the Wagner group.