A Ukrainian F-16 pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, was killed early Sunday whereas defending in opposition to Russia’s largest air assault because the warfare started, in keeping with Reuters.
Ukraine honors martyred pilot
Ustymenko shot down seven drones and missiles earlier than his jet was broken. He steered the crashing airplane away from residential areas however had no time to eject. The assault concerned 537 Russian drones and missiles, the very best single-night barrage in over three years of warfare. Ukraine intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles, however 226 others have been misplaced to digital jamming or decoys.
The strikes injured not less than 12 civilians, together with youngsters, and broken houses, faculties, and industrial websites throughout six areas. In central Cherkasy, missiles hit house blocks and a university, forcing evacuations. Lviv suffered energy outages after drones struck an industrial facility. President Zelenskyy posthumously awarded Ustymenko Ukraine’s highest honor, calling him a hero who mastered 4 plane varieties and defended Ukraine since 2014.
The assault highlighted Kyiv’s pressing want for superior air defenses: Russia launched 1,270 drones, 114 missiles, and 1,100 glide bombs this week alone.
Zelenskyy urgently appealed to the U.S. and allies for Patriot missile methods, warning: “Moscow won’t cease so long as it may possibly launch large strikes.” He emphasised Ukraine is able to purchase American defenses however wants political help from Washington, the place President Trump has hesitated on new support.
In the meantime, Russia claimed it took management of Novoukrainka village in Donetsk and downed Ukrainian drones in border areas. As Kyiv mourns its third F-16 loss since August 2024, consultants observe the jets are much less efficient in opposition to low-cost drone swarms than high-speed targets.
