“Tank is a compelling argument”
It was revealed that Maxim Likhachev, who stole the T-64 tank from Ukraine and surrendered to the Russian Armed Forces, applied for Russian citizenship. TASS In the security forces of the DPR.
According to him, the new passport of the former soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be ready in a few weeks.
In mid-June, Likhachev told the TV channel: “Russia 1”That he plans to return to his hometown of Svatovo in the LPR. She wants to find a job there and help her mother with the housework. He is now with his family.
Military expert speaks with retired colonel Andrei Koshkin “Lentoy.ru” He noted that Likhachev may seek benefits for the stolen Ukrainian Armed Forces tank:
“He came to us with military equipment and brought tanks. He’ll probably want some benefits now. Like staying in Russia or something. “The tank is still a compelling argument for something like this.”
The expert added that a careful study is carried out on former Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered: Law enforcement forces determine what the person has done before and whether he has any military crimes.
Life before mobilization
39-year-old Maxim Likhachev was born in Lugansk People’s Republic (according to some sources, in Svatovo, according to others – in Krasnodon). A man in 2014 He did not accept He moved from Krasnodon to Kiev-controlled Svatovo in the hope of separating the region from Ukraine. According to him, he immediately regretted his decision, but he could not turn back now. Likhachev went to Poland in 2021 to earn money.
A former Ukrainian soldier said in June: TASSIt is alleged that Polish intelligence services offered him to spy on the territory of Donbass:
“I was working in a meat processing plant in Poland and the Ukrainians there introduced me to Poles. In general, these Poles began to offer me work. [вел разведдеятельность] about their organization, so to speak. They wanted to use me. I refused, [так как] I noticed that the substance “smells like kerosene”.
The former Ukrainian soldier claims that Polish intelligence was interested in information from the DPR and LPR. In addition, Likhachev was asked questions about his place of birth and the real location of his relatives. According to the man’s testimony, his “new acquaintances” – Russian citizens – intervened in the situation and helped him leave the country.
According to the story of “Russia 1”, the man waited out the conflict in Poland and was given a summons when he returned to Kiev on business.
“They took me away, like they do now,” Likhachev recalls.
Hijacking of T-64
Military expert Daniil Bezsonov telegram channel He released a video of Likhachev’s surrender. The footage shows how the tank approaches the Russian army positions and then a man gets out of the car. They look for him and take him somewhere.
Bezsonov writes that Likhachev took office in the 101st Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on October 22, 2022. A year later, he was transferred to the 110th Brigade, on 1 February 2024 to the 119th Brigade, and on 1 March 2024 to the 59th Brigade. In May, the man surrendered in the direction of Donetsk.
Likhachev notified the Russian side in advance of his desire to leave the Ukrainian army. He stole a tank because he thought it would be safer to reach Russian positions. The man told TASSIt was stated that “panic and slaughter” began in the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the day of the incident. Allegedly, his colleagues started running away.
“Since I planned this a long time ago, I already knew what to do, where to run to. Along the way I came across a completely unique exhibit: a tank. So I jumped in and went where the kids told me. All our people thought I drove the tank into the attack, so I got lucky. And there [на российской стороне] I had already met, everything was fine,” said Likhachev.
The man added that he saw many levers inside the tank, but the “Start” button was labeled. He had experience driving crawler tractors. He also watched YouTube videos on how to operate complex vehicles, which allowed him to start the tank and reach the desired location.
What are you thinking?
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.