The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed on Sunday that Ustymenko was killed while trying to steer the aircraft away from a populated area

By Titilope Adako

Ukraine has lost an F-16 fighter jet and one of its few trained pilots, 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, during one of Russia’s largest air offensives of the war, involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed on Sunday that Ustymenko was killed while trying to steer the aircraft away from a populated area.

He did not have time to eject. His death marks the third F-16 pilot Ukraine has lost since acquiring the advanced jets last year, and the fourth aircraft destroyed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Ustymenko as a hero, saying he managed to destroy seven targets before his death. Zelensky praised the air force for “heroically protecting” the skies despite overwhelming odds.

According to Ukraine, Russia launched 477 drones and 60 missiles targeting six cities overnight, making it one of the most intense aerial attacks to date.

In Odesa, a residential building was hit by a drone strike, while in Smila, Cherkasy region, 11 people, including two children, were injured.

Several homes, schools, and a psychiatric hospital were also damaged, according to local authorities.

Zelensky called on Western allies for additional air defence support, stressing the need for systems like the US-made Patriots.

He said Ukraine was prepared to purchase the systems if allowed by the Trump administration, which has signalled possible aid withdrawal.

“Pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection,” Zelensky said. “Protection from ballistic and other missiles, from drones, and from terror.”

Ukraine currently has around six Patriot systems, but concerns are rising over dwindling missile supplies as Russia intensifies its night-time bombardments with high-altitude drones and glide bombs.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that it intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles during the latest attack, but acknowledged that Russia’s strikes had reached civilian infrastructure, contradicting Moscow’s claims that only military targets were hit.

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