I now work for a finance company in Luxembourg with projects in South America and the Caribbean. Mathias Rust americacaribbeancompany Change image and share on social
My plan was to land in Red Square, but there were too many people and I thought I'd cause casualties. Mathias Rust casualtylandpeople Change image and share on social
I approached Red Square three times, trying to find somewhere to land, before discovering a wide bridge nearby. I landed there and taxied into Red Square. Mathias Rust approachbridgediscover Change image and share on social
After that I couldn't show my face outside. I lost my identity and balance. I was still living with my parents, and they were my only friends. For so many people, this thing with the nurse was confirmation that I must be mad or mentally ill. Mathias Rust balanceconfirmationface share on social
I didn't tell anybody about my plan because I was convinced my family or friends would stop me. I didn't think much about what would happen afterwards. Mathias Rust convincefamilyfriend Change image and share on social
I had one companion. He was a teacher from the Ukraine who spoke English so we could communicate a bit. I learnt a few Russian words, but it was hard to concentrate. Mathias Rust bitecommunicatecompanion Change image and share on social
I wanted to choose somewhere public, because I was scared of the KGB. Mathias Rust choosekgbpublic Change image and share on social
The defence and air defence ministers were both replaced and more than 2,000 officers lost their jobs. Mathias Rust 000airdefence Change image and share on social
Imprisonment hit me so hard - much harder than I had thought. Mathias Rust hardhitimprisonment Change image and share on social
I moved away for three years and went to Trinidad where I met my wife, Athena. Mathias Rust athenameetmove Change image and share on social
