10-04-25, 19:35
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Ukrainian Deserter is Hiding On Putins International Space Station
Ukrainian Who Deserted For Russia is Hiding From Justice On The International Space Station
Alexey Zubritsky, 32, is wanted in Ukraine for desertion after fleeing his aviation unit to join Vladimir Putins forces - but he's currently in space on board the International Space Station
MailOnline 10 APR 2025
A Ukrainian armed forces pilot who went missing from the front line is now hiding from his commanders on the International Space Station.
Alexey Zubritsky, 32 is listed as a Ukrainian deserter and last month was sentenced in his absence to 15 years behind bars.
The pilot flew attack aircraft for Ukraine in the aviation unit of the 204th Sevastopol Brigade in 2013. But when Vladimir Putin illegally seized Crimea the following year, Zubritsky joined Russian forces, and was later based in Rostov and Krasnodar regions.
He later switched to cosmonaut training, and on Tuesday he blasted off on a Soyuz 2a rocket to the ISS with
Russian commander Sergey Ryzhikov and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim.
Should he ever return, Ukrainian-born Mr Zubritsky faces arrest in his home country and the confiscation of all of his property.
The Ukrainian prosecutor said: Having committed high treason and desertion, he joined the armed forces of the Russian Federation, where he is still serving in particular, as a test cosmonaut, and flight engineer of the ISS 72/73 crew currently in space
The 32-year-old switched sides to join Putins forces in 2013 after war broke out in Crimea
On Tuesday, the Soyuz booster rocket lifted off as scheduled from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan to put the Soyuz MS-27 into orbit.
It was carrying Mr Zubritsky, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Russias Sergey Ryzhikov, who arrived at the station just over three hours later.
Pro-Kremlin news outlet Shot said: Russians have exceptional respect for Alexey, are happy for his career and send greetings to the ISS.
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