Ukrainian F-16 pilot killed during overnight Russian attacks, President Zelensky says

The Ukrainian Air Force has confirmed that one of its F-16 fighter jet pilots was killed during a night-time operation to repel a massive wave of Russian missile and drone attacks.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the pilot — Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko — died heroically while defending Ukrainian skies. “Tragically, while repelling the attack, our F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, died. Today, he destroyed 7 aerial targets. My condolences to his family and brothers-in-arms,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that an investigation has been launched into the exact circumstances of the incident.

“Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in our skies, most of them Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life,” Zelenskyy stated. A residential building in Smila was hit, injuring a child.

Several Western countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, have delivered F-16s to Ukraine to bolster its air defence. The origin of the downed aircraft was not disclosed. Belgium has also pledged two F-16s for Ukraine, which will be used for spare parts rather than combat missions.

President Zelenskyy emphasised that “Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defence — the thing that best protects lives,” and reiterated his call for international support, particularly American air defence systems, to counter ongoing Russian aggression.