Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Killed in Action During Largest Russian Air Assault of the War

First Class Pilot Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko died intercepting Russian drones and missiles early Sunday

A Ukrainian Air Force pilot was killed in action after his American-made F-16 fighter jet was shot down during the largest Russian aerial attack since the war began, Ukrainian defense officials confirmed.

Lt. Col. Maksym Ustimenko, 31, was airborne early Sunday when Russian forces launched an unprecedented barrage of 537 aerial weapons, including 477 drones and 60 missiles, in a coordinated overnight assault across Ukraine.

Flying one of Ukraine’s recently delivered F-16 Fighting Falcons, Ustimenko successfully intercepted seven targets before his jet was struck by incoming fire. He had no time to eject but managed to direct the damaged aircraft away from a residential area, likely saving civilian lives in his final moments, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Ukraine scrambled its American-made F-16 fighter jets in response to Russia’s largest aerial attack of the war so far

“Maksym did everything he could to steer the aircraft away from a populated area,” the Air Force said in an official statement. “He died like a hero… Eternal flight, brother.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to Ustimenko’s family and comrades. “Ukrainian aviation is heroically protecting our skies. I am grateful to everyone who is defending Ukraine,” Zelensky stated.

Ustimenko's downing marks the third loss of an F-16 jet since Ukraine began deploying the Western-supplied aircraft in February. A previous jet was lost during heavy Russian airstrikes in April, and another in May.

Moscow fired more than 500 missiles and drones overnight, striking at least eight Ukrainian regions

Despite the loss, Ukrainian pilots played a key role in the defense, intercepting 436 drones and 38 missiles during the massive overnight assault. However, the remaining munitions and debris struck eight locations throughout the country, causing widespread damage and casualties.

In the western region of Lviv, a drone strike on an industrial facility in Drohobych sparked a large fire and widespread blackouts. At least one person was killed in Kherson, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Cherkasy, six individuals, including a child, were injured by falling debris from intercepted drones, regional governor Ihor Taburets reported.

First responders arrive at a residential apartment building that was hit by a drone in Smila

The scope of Russia’s airstrike prompted nearby NATO member Poland to scramble fighter jets and raise its air defense systems to full readiness. Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command stated that all available air and ground defense assets were deployed as the scale of the attack became apparent.

Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, called the onslaught “the most massive air strike” since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

President Zelensky condemned the latest escalation, warning the international community that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of pursuing peace.

“Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes,” Zelensky said. “Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs. Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world’s calls for peace. This war must be brought to an end — pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection.”