During the repulsion of last night’s massive Russian missile and drone attack, a Ukrainian F-16 aircraft was damaged, and First Class pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko was killed.
The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook.
"On the night of June 29, 2025, Russian forces once again launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine, using various types of missiles and strike UAVs — over 500 aerial targets in total," the statement reads.
It is noted that all available Defense Forces assets capable of countering aerial threats were involved in repelling the attack. Once again, the Air Force aviation — including F-16 aircraft — performed effectively, with pilots destroying dozens of Shahed-type drones.
"The work of Ukrainian fighter pilots is extremely dangerous and risky, both during strikes on enemy ground targets and in repelling air attacks. Nevertheless, our pilots heroically carry out combat missions and achieve maximum results," the Air Force emphasized.
Tragically, during this night’s defense against the air attack, First Class pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, born in 1993, was killed while flying an F-16.
"The pilot used the full suite of onboard weapons and shot down seven aerial targets. While engaging the last one, his aircraft sustained damage and began losing altitude. Maksym Ustymenko did everything possible to steer the jet away from a populated area but did not have time to eject... He died a Hero," the Air Force stated.
