KYIV, June 30 (Alliance News): A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot died while heroically repelling a massive Russian air assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles, authorities said on Sunday, amid escalating aerial attacks in the fourth year of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The pilot, identified as Maksym Ustymenko, was posthumously awarded the title of “Hero of Ukraine,” the country’s highest honour, by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Ustymenko shot down seven enemy targets before his US-made F-16 aircraft was struck. He reportedly steered the jet away from a populated area before crashing, leaving no time to eject.
“He mastered four types of aircraft and had significant achievements in defending Ukraine,” Zelensky said in his nightly address. “It is painful to lose such people.”
The fatal crash occurred during one of the most intense aerial barrages yet, as Russia fired 477 drones and 60 missiles at Ukrainian cities overnight.
Ukrainian defences intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles, while 225 drones were either neutralised by electronic warfare or turned out to be decoys, the Air Force said.
Explosions rocked major urban centres including Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
In Cherkasy alone, 11 people were injured, including two children, and a woman was wounded in Ivano-Frankivsk. Three apartment blocks and a college building were also damaged, local officials confirmed.
In Kyiv, families sought refuge in metro stations as air raid sirens blared across the capital. The scale and intensity of the assault once again spotlighted Ukraine’s urgent need for advanced air defence systems.
Call for More Western Support
Zelensky renewed his call for military assistance from the United States and Western allies, particularly advanced air defence platforms like the Patriot missile system.
“Ukraine is ready to purchase these systems. We count on the leadership and political will of the United States, Europe, and all our partners,” he said on social media platform X.
He also warned that Russia would continue its massive strikes unless confronted with stronger deterrents. “This war must be brought to an end. Pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection. Strengthening our air defence is essential to saving lives.”
Ukraine has already lost three F-16 fighter jets since the aircraft were introduced into combat last year.
While the total number in Kyiv’s fleet remains undisclosed, the F-16s have become a crucial asset in Ukraine’s military defence operations. However, experts say they are not ideally suited for combating low-flying drone swarms, which frequently target civilian infrastructure.
War Intensifies
President Zelensky said Russia has launched more than 1,270 drones, 1,100 glide bombs, and 114 missiles in just the past week. Sunday’s onslaught highlights the increasing reliance on drone warfare and high-volume missile barrages by Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russia’s state media claimed that a Ukrainian drone killed one civilian in the Russian-controlled part of Luhansk. Both sides continue to deny deliberately targeting civilians.
The political backdrop in Washington remains uncertain. While former President Donald Trump met Zelensky during last week’s NATO summit, he has yet to commit to new military aid packages. Trump said he is “considering” Ukraine’s request for additional Patriot systems but gave no timeline or specifics.
Zelensky’s Message
Zelensky reminded Western nations that Ukraine’s struggle is not only about national survival but about preserving global stability and democratic values.
“Moscow will not stop as long as it can launch massive strikes,” he said. “That’s why we need steadfast support to defend not just Ukraine, but peace and international security.”
With night raids intensifying and critical infrastructure repeatedly hit, the Ukrainian government and public are bracing for a prolonged phase of high-risk combat operations. At the same time, pressure is mounting on global allies to accelerate their support before more lives are lost.
