Ukraine offers $1 million to Russian pilots who defect with warplanes

A Ukrainian defense manufacturer offered bounties on stolen Russian military aircraft on Tuesday, along with citizenship to pilots who defect and deliver them to the Ukrainian army.

Ukroboronrom made the announcement on their Facebook page, where they offered $1 million for a working fighter jet and $500,000 for a helicopter, reports military news site, Sandboxx.

Translated by Sandboxx, it reads:

“💸Attention! By the decision of the General Director Yuri Gusev, the Ukroboronprom DK is ready to pay bonuses for stolen combat aviation equipment of the occupiers!

✈️1,000,000 US dollars – for a stolen or trophy aircraft in working condition.

🚁500,000 US dollars – for a captured helicopter in working condition.

Ukroboronprom signed an agreement with U.S.-based defense manufacturer Global Ordnance to help the Ukrainian government procure defensive hardware and munitions.

Ukroboronprom’s offer to potential defectors comes one day after a captured Russian commander appeared on Ukrainian TV to denounce the invasion as a “genocide.” Many other videos of captured Russian soldiers and pilots has emerged on social media.

Despite a stark difference in man- and fire-power, Russian President Vladimir Putin troops’ progress has been slower than expected since they entered Ukraine on Feb. 24. Notably, Russian forces have failed to establish air superiority, or control over the airspace above Ukraine, reports Sandboxx.

Putin’s decision to invade has resulted in an unprecedented refugee crisis. The United Nations announced on Tuesday that over 2 million people had now fled Ukraine.