Lt. Colonel Maxim Ustimenko, a 31-year-old Ukrainian F-16 pilot, was killed during a massive Russian air attack, which involved over 500 air targets, including drones and missiles. Ustimenko successfully destroyed seven enemy targets before his aircraft sustained severe damage. Despite his efforts to steer the jet away from populated areas, he could not land it in time. The Ukrainian Air Force honored him as a hero, expressing condolences to his family.
The overnight attack on June 29 saw Ukrainian forces responding effectively, neutralizing 475 enemy targets, including numerous Shahed drones and various missile types. Multiple regions in Ukraine, including Kyiv, experienced missile and drone strikes, resulting in damage to infrastructure and casualties, with three injuries in Cherkassy.
Ustimenko is the third F-16 pilot to die since Ukraine integrated Western fighter jets into its arsenal. As the war continues into its third year, Ukrainian pilots remain at high risk while conducting dangerous missions against Russian aggression.
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