Ukrainian F-16 pilot dies heroically repelling Russia's largest air assault
Ustymenko shot down seven drones and missiles before his jet was damaged. He steered the crashing plane away from residential areas but had no time to eject. The attack involved 537 Russian drones and missiles, the highest single-night barrage in over three years of war. Ukraine intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles, but 226 others were lost to electronic jamming or decoys.
The strikes injured at least 12 civilians, including children, and damaged homes, schools, and industrial sites across six regions. In central Cherkasy, missiles hit apartment blocks and a college, forcing evacuations. Lviv suffered power outages after drones struck an industrial facility. President Zelenskyy posthumously awarded Ustymenko Ukraine's highest honor, calling him a hero who mastered four aircraft types and defended Ukraine since 2014.
The attack highlighted Kyiv's urgent need for advanced 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 systems, warning: 'Moscow will not stop as long as it can launch massive strikes.' He emphasized Ukraine is ready to buy American defenses but needs political support from Washington, where President Trump has hesitated on new aid.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed it took control of Novoukrainka village in Donetsk and downed Ukrainian drones in border regions. As Kyiv mourns its third F-16 loss since August 2024, experts note the jets are less effective against cheap drone swarms than high-speed targets.
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Could Elon Musk be deported from the US?
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This included his explosive claim that the US president was in the Epstein files. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musk later walked back some criticism of the president. But what happened? And can Musk actually be deported from the United States? What happened? Musk has spent much of the past few days on social media hammering Trump and the Republicans over the bill – which he previously described as an 'abomination'. The bill, which provides tax cuts for the rich, will add trillions to the national debt and strip millions of their healthcare. Musk this week decried the Republicans as the 'porky pig party' and warned that the passage of the bill would be political suicide. Musk also threatened Republicans voting for the bill, saying that they may find themselves facing well-funded challengers. 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,' Musk wrote on X. Musk even mused about founding a new political party – 'the America Party' – vowing that it would be formed the next day if the 'insane spending bill passes'. 'Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people,' Musk added. Trump, unwilling to let anyone have the last word, hit back at Musk on social media. The US president had threatened to take away government subsidies for Tesla and SpaceX – which both the companies are heavily reliant on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said that Musk without the subsidies would have to 'shut shop' and move back to South Africa. US President Donald Trump has also threatened to take subsidies away from Elon Musk's companies. 'Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one," Trump wrote on social media. 'Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,' he added. Trump also suggested that he might sic the Department of Government efficiency, which Musk previously headed up, on the billionaire. 'No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED,' Trump added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musk, though, seemed determined not to back down. He wrote on X, 'I am literally saying cut it all. Now'. Then, Trump on Tuesday, asked by a reporter at the White House about deporting Musk, refused to rule it out. 'We'll have to take a look,' Trump said. The US president then once again threatened Musk's subsidies. 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Business Standard
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