A decorated Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, lost his life amid a large-scale overnight air assault by Russia, reigniting President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeals to Western nations for enhanced military support—especially in strengthening Ukraine’s air defence systems.
According to officials on Sunday, Ustymenko managed to shoot down seven enemy targets before his aircraft sustained damage during the attack. Despite his efforts to guide the failing jet away from residential zones, the plane crashed, and he was unable to eject in time. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the incident and emphasized the pilot’s heroic final maneuver to avoid civilian casualties.
Read more: Six Killed, 80 Wounded in Intense Russian Air Attacks on Ukraine
President Zelensky paid tribute to Ustymenko in his nightly address and posthumously awarded him the title “Hero of Ukraine,” the nation’s highest civilian honor. “He was trained on four different aircraft and made significant contributions to defending our skies,” Zelensky stated. “Losing someone like him is incredibly painful.”
The Russian attack was one of the most extensive in recent months, with 477 drones and 60 missiles launched at Ukrainian targets. Ukrainian air defence systems managed to intercept 211 drones and 38 missiles, while another 225 drones were neutralized via electronic warfare or identified as decoys.
The assault, which struck critical infrastructure and residential areas across the country, caused widespread damage and disruptions. At least 12 people were injured nationwide, including two children in Cherkasy, where homes and a college building were among the damaged sites.
In Kyiv, the capital, residents sought shelter underground as explosions and gunfire echoed throughout the night. Lviv, a city near the Polish border that had largely been spared from recent attacks, also experienced significant blasts. Similar incidents were reported in the regions of Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
This latest barrage is part of Russia’s escalating aerial offensive. Ukrainian military sources report that in just one week, Russian forces have used over 1,100 glide bombs, 1,270 drones, and 114 missiles. These attacks, often carried out under the cover of darkness, aim to overwhelm Ukraine’s already strained defence resources.
Ukraine began flying U.S.-supplied F-16 fighter jets last year. Ustymenko’s death marks the third confirmed F-16 loss. While Ukraine has not revealed the total number of these jets in service, they are viewed as essential to the country’s air strategy. However, some analysts argue that these jets are more effective against fast-moving targets and less suited to intercept slow, low-altitude drones.
Military expert Roman Svitan noted that the F-16s are ideal for engaging high-speed threats but struggle to counter the drone swarms that have become a staple of Russia’s aerial tactics.
In light of these growing threats, Zelensky reiterated his plea for upgraded air defence systems. “To end this war, we must intensify pressure on the aggressor and enhance our defensive shield,” he urged. He expressed interest in acquiring additional U.S.-made Patriot systems and called on American and European leaders to act decisively.
While no new aid has been announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s request for more Patriots during a recent NATO summit meeting with Zelensky, stating that the request is under review.
Zelensky also shared a message on X (formerly Twitter), warning that “Moscow will continue its strikes as long as it can.” He emphasized that the continued support and leadership from the West are crucial to Ukraine’s survival.
Meanwhile, in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region, Russian media reported that a Ukrainian drone strike resulted in one civilian fatality. Both Russia and Ukraine have denied intentionally targeting civilians.
As the war stretches into its fourth year with no clear end in sight, Ukrainian officials stress that the latest wave of attacks underscores the urgent need for reinforced defence capabilities to protect lives and infrastructure.
Rescue operations remained ongoing into Sunday, with emergency workers evacuating residents from heavily damaged buildings in areas like Cherkasy, where the aftermath left homes charred and windows blown out.
