The GUR just confirmed the operation. A Russian Mi-8 carrying spare parts for fighter jets was lured into Ukraine in an operation that lasted over 6 months. Two crew members (unaware where they were heading) were reportedly eliminated while the Russian pilot was kept unharmed. He is reunited with his family that was taken to Ukraine earlier.
"Official information will be forthcoming. In advance, there is such information. We need to wait a little, the work will be done, including the crew. Everything will be fine, there will be news," said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the GUR.
Still. In that situation, the only possible good outcome is after the risk of defecting/surrendering. In every other option, you die doing the wrong thing, so if you're going to die regardless of your ethics, might as well make it better for those that are fighting your killers. I would choose the same, dark as it may be.
How do you know they'd have died continuing to fly the chopper?