“Having spent a life of legendary service to his chosen country, Victor died on September 24, 2023 after a brief illness,” the notice read.

Belenko’s sons Tom and Paul were with him at the time of his death. “American comrades” will miss him, but it was decided not to hold a memorial service, the publication said.

In 1976, Belenko stole a MiG-25 fighter-interceptor to Japan, giving the opponents of the USSR the opportunity to thoroughly study the latest machine at that time. He received political asylum and later citizenship in the United States, where he started a new family, advised authorities and defense companies, and acted as an expert in the media.