Latest news with #Ustymenko
Egypt Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Ukraine loses an F-16 pilot and his jet while fighting one of Russia's biggest ever aerial attacks
CNN — A Ukrainian pilot was killed and his F-16 fighter jet crashed after Russia launched a huge aerial assault involving hundreds of drones and scores of missiles overnight, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday. The airman, named as 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko by the Ukrainian air force, was the third F-16 pilot killed since the Ukrainians began flying the jets last summer, and his plane was the fourth F-16 Ukraine has lost since then. The air force said Ustymenko 'did everything he could to steer the aircraft away from a populated area, but he did not have time to eject.' Ustymenko's death is a major loss for Ukraine. Only a small number of the country's top pilots have been trained to fly F-16s, the most advanced of Ukraine's fighter jets. The training is highly specialized and takes months to complete. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ustymenko destroyed seven targets before being killed, praising him and the Ukrainian air force for 'heroically protecting' the country's skies. Zelensky said Moscow launched 477 drones and 60 missiles towards six different locations overnight into Sunday – one of Russia's largest ever aerial assaults in terms of weapons deployed, according to a CNN tally. This residential building in Odesa was hit by a Russian drone on June 28, 2025. Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP/Getty Images Deadly aerial attacks Russia has ramped up its airborne attacks against Ukraine in recent weeks, launching hundreds of drones and missiles nearly every night. These assaults are not just bigger and more frequent; they are also more concentrated and executed in a way that makes them a lot more difficult to combat – as they are flown at higher altitudes, out of reach of machine guns. Zelensky said on Sunday that more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs were launched by Russia against Ukraine just this week. The Ukrainian leader pleaded with Kyiv's Western allies to provide more aerial defenses for his country, saying Russia will continue to attack Ukraine for as long as it can. 'This war must be brought to an end — pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection. Protection from ballistic and other missiles, from drones, and from terror,' Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine was ready to buy 'American systems' to strengthen its air defenses – a clear call to US President Donald Trump and his administration to allow Ukraine to purchase the Patriot air defense systems. The Patriots are widely considered to be among the best air defense systems. While there are other systems manufactured by some of Ukraine's other allies, none can match the Patriots when it comes to protection against advanced hypersonic and ballistic missiles. Ukraine is known to have roughly half a dozen of the US-made Patriot air defense systems, although the exact numbers and their locations are closely guarded secrets. The Patriots play a crucial role in Ukraine's air defense, protecting millions of civilians from Russian missiles. But Kyiv is at risk of running out of missiles for these systems, as Trump continues to threaten withdrawing US aid from Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force said Sunday it had downed 211 drones and 38 missiles launched by Moscow overnight. Russian strikes were recorded in six locations with debris reported across eight locations, it added. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the strikes targeted Ukraine's 'military-industrial complex facilities and oil refineries,' but the Ukrainians said civilian infrastructure objects were hit. At least 11 people were injured, including two children, in a Russian attack in the city of Smila, in the central region of Cherkasy, local officials said in an update on Sunday. Three nine-story buildings, private houses, and cars were significantly damaged in the shelling, as well as four educational institutions and a psychiatric hospital, Ihor Taburets, head of Cherkasy regional military administration, said. Landmines question Also on Sunday, Zelensky announced he signed a decree that would take Ukraine out of the Ottawa Treaty, the international agreement that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines. A long-signalled move by Ukraine, the withdrawal still needs to be approved by Ukraine's parliament. Kyiv has long argued that it cannot continue to be member of the treaty because its attacker – Russia – is using landmines in its own teritory. 'This is a step that has long been demanded by the reality of war. Russia is not a party to this Convention and uses mines against our military and civilians on a massive scale. We cannot remain bound by conditions when the enemy has no restrictions,' Roman Kostenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, said in a statement. According to the United Nations, Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world. Russia has been using mines extensively in Ukraine's territory, but according a 2023 report from Human Rights Watch found that Ukraine has also used antipersonnel landmines. The US under the Biden Administration approved shipments of landmines to Ukraine last November. Large swathes of Ukrainian land, especially along the frontlines in the east and in areas that were once occupied by Russia, are off limits to civilians because of the mines. Makeshift signs and barriers warning people not to enter are a common sight on the edges of fields and forests and near roads. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country 'has made a difficult but necessary political decision' to withdraw from the Ottawa convention, saying the government was 'convinced' it was necessary to do so. At the start of this year, the pact had 165 member states – although several major powers, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan and the United States, have never signed up to it. Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania – which all border Russia – have also made moves to pull out of the treaty arguing they were essential for defense.
The Print
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Death of Ukrainian F-16 pilot highlights perils of air defence, commander says
Oleh Zakharchuk, deputy commander of Ukraine's western air command, delivered the warning just days after the Pentagon said it was pausing some supplies of arms Ukraine needs to defend its cities. Dozens of people have been killed during intensifying Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, a trend officials have said will worsen if Kyiv's allies do not step up supplies of critical munitions. By Sergiy Karazy KYIV (Reuters) -The death of an experienced Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot in battle against Russian drones shows the high-risk tactics Kyiv will increasingly adopt if it is unable to obtain critical new air defences, a senior commander said on Thursday. 'Everyone must understand that there is no such thing as enough weapons,' he said at the funeral for fighter pilot Maksym Ustymenko at the golden-domed St Michael's Monastery and Cathedral in Kyiv. 'If we cannot use the missiles because we do not get them, then it will be very difficult.' Ustymenko was killed on June 29 after shooting down seven Russian Shahed drones during a massive air strike that included hundreds of drones as well as missiles. Zakharchuk said the pilot first dispatched all the jet's air-to-air missiles, then resorted to firing his plane's cannons, which the commander described as a riskier tactic because it requires Ukrainian pilots to get close to the drones. 'If we do not shoot down a Shahed and it falls on a settlement, on a building and people die, what should we choose?' he said. 'Of course, we choose to destroy air targets despite how difficult and risky it is.' The held-up U.S. package includes missiles carried by the F-16s. On Thursday, at least four people were killed in separate Russian air strikes on Poltava in central Ukraine and the southern port of Odesa. The Pentagon's pause, a decision it said was made to conserve U.S. stockpiles, also included precision munitions Ukraine needs to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he hoped to talk with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Friday or in coming days about the decision. HONOURED IN CENTRAL KYIV Mourners descended on St. Michael's to honor Ustymenko, whose coffin was later carried to Independence Square in a sombre procession. Fighter pilots are typically revered in Ukraine for their role in fending off the increasingly heavy waves of air strikes that Russia has launched against Ukrainian towns and cities since late 2022. Ustymenko was among the first 12 pilots to train on the prized American-made fighter, which Kyiv began deploying last August, deputy Air Force commander Serhiy Holubtsov said at the ceremony. Zakharchuk said Ustymenko had logged hundreds of hours on Soviet-era aircraft before transitioning to the F-16. He also tested Gripen fighter jets in Sweden. (Writing by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by William Maclean) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
AsiaOne
04-07-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Death of Ukrainian F-16 pilot highlights perils of air defence, commander says, World News
KYIV — The death of an experienced Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot in battle against Russian drones shows the high-risk tactics Kyiv will increasingly adopt if it is unable to obtain critical new air defences, a senior commander said on Thursday (July 3). Dozens of people have been killed during intensifying Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, a trend officials have said will worsen if Kyiv's allies do not step up supplies of critical munitions. Oleh Zakharchuk, deputy commander of Ukraine's western air command, delivered the warning just days after the Pentagon said it was pausing some supplies of arms Ukraine needs to defend its cities. "Everyone must understand that there is no such thing as enough weapons," he said at the funeral for fighter pilot Maksym Ustymenko at the golden-domed St Michael's Monastery and Cathedral in Kyiv. "If we cannot use the missiles because we do not get them, then it will be very difficult." Ustymenko was killed on June 29 after shooting down seven Russian Shahed drones during a massive air strike that included hundreds of drones as well as missiles. Zakharchuk said the pilot first dispatched all the jet's air-to-air missiles, then resorted to firing his plane's cannons, which the commander described as a riskier tactic because it requires Ukrainian pilots to get close to the drones. "If we do not shoot down a Shahed and it falls on a settlement, on a building and people die, what should we choose?" he said. "Of course, we choose to destroy air targets despite how difficult and risky it is." The held-up US package includes missiles carried by the F-16s. On Thursday, at least four people were killed in separate Russian air strikes on Poltava in central Ukraine and the southern port of Odesa. The Pentagon's pause, a decision it said was made to conserve US stockpiles, also included precision munitions Ukraine needs to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he hoped to talk with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday or in coming days about the decision. Honoured in central Kyiv Mourners descended on St. Michael's to honour Ustymenko, whose coffin was later carried to Independence Square in a sombre procession. Fighter pilots are typically revered in Ukraine for their role in fending off the increasingly heavy waves of air strikes that Russia has launched against Ukrainian towns and cities since late 2022. Ustymenko was among the first 12 pilots to train on the prized American-made fighter, which Kyiv began deploying last August, deputy Air Force commander Serhiy Holubtsov said at the ceremony. Zakharchuk said Ustymenko had logged hundreds of hours on Soviet-era aircraft before transitioning to the F-16. He also tested Gripen fighter jets in Sweden. [[nid:719619]]
The Star
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Death of Ukrainian F-16 pilot highlights perils of air defence, commander says
Service members of Honour Guard carry a portrait of Ukrainian military pilot Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died last Sunday operating an F16 fighter jet during a combat mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during his funeral ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko KYIV (Reuters) -The death of an experienced Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot in battle against Russian drones shows the high-risk tactics Kyiv will increasingly adopt if it is unable to obtain critical new air defences, a senior commander said on Thursday. Dozens of people have been killed during intensifying Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, a trend officials have said will worsen if Kyiv's allies do not step up supplies of critical munitions. Oleh Zakharchuk, deputy commander of Ukraine's western air command, delivered the warning just days after the Pentagon said it was pausing some supplies of arms Ukraine needs to defend its cities. "Everyone must understand that there is no such thing as enough weapons," he said at the funeral for fighter pilot Maksym Ustymenko at the golden-domed St Michael's Monastery and Cathedral in Kyiv. "If we cannot use the missiles because we do not get them, then it will be very difficult." Ustymenko was killed on June 29 after shooting down seven Russian Shahed drones during a massive air strike that included hundreds of drones as well as missiles. Zakharchuk said the pilot first dispatched all the jet's air-to-air missiles, then resorted to firing his plane's cannons, which the commander described as a riskier tactic because it requires Ukrainian pilots to get close to the drones. "If we do not shoot down a Shahed and it falls on a settlement, on a building and people die, what should we choose?" he said. "Of course, we choose to destroy air targets despite how difficult and risky it is." The held-up U.S. package includes missiles carried by the F-16s. On Thursday, at least four people were killed in separate Russian air strikes on Poltava in central Ukraine and the southern port of Odesa. The Pentagon's pause, a decision it said was made to conserve U.S. stockpiles, also included precision munitions Ukraine needs to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he hoped to talk with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Friday or in coming days about the decision. HONOURED IN CENTRAL KYIV Mourners descended on St. Michael's to honor Ustymenko, whose coffin was later carried to Independence Square in a sombre procession. Fighter pilots are typically revered in Ukraine for their role in fending off the increasingly heavy waves of air strikes that Russia has launched against Ukrainian towns and cities since late 2022. Ustymenko was among the first 12 pilots to train on the prized American-made fighter, which Kyiv began deploying last August, deputy Air Force commander Serhiy Holubtsov said at the ceremony. Zakharchuk said Ustymenko had logged hundreds of hours on Soviet-era aircraft before transitioning to the F-16. He also tested Gripen fighter jets in Sweden. (Writing by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by William Maclean)
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Death of Ukrainian F-16 pilot highlights perils of air defence, commander says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox KYIV - The death of an experienced Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot in battle against Russian drones shows the high-risk tactics Kyiv will increasingly adopt if it is unable to obtain critical new air defences, a senior commander said on Thursday. Dozens of people have been killed during intensifying Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, a trend officials have said will worsen if Kyiv's allies do not step up supplies of critical munitions. Oleh Zakharchuk, deputy commander of Ukraine's western air command, delivered the warning just days after the Pentagon said it was pausing some supplies of arms Ukraine needs to defend its cities. "Everyone must understand that there is no such thing as enough weapons," he said at the funeral for fighter pilot Maksym Ustymenko at the golden-domed St Michael's Monastery and Cathedral in Kyiv. "If we cannot use the missiles because we do not get them, then it will be very difficult." Ustymenko was killed on June 29 after shooting down seven Russian Shahed drones during a massive air strike that included hundreds of drones as well as missiles. Zakharchuk said the pilot first dispatched all the jet's air-to-air missiles, then resorted to firing his plane's cannons, which the commander described as a riskier tactic because it requires Ukrainian pilots to get close to the drones. "If we do not shoot down a Shahed and it falls on a settlement, on a building and people die, what should we choose?" he said. "Of course, we choose to destroy air targets despite how difficult and risky it is." The held-up U.S. package includes missiles carried by the F-16s. On Thursday, at least four people were killed in separate Russian air strikes on Poltava in central Ukraine and the southern port of Odesa. The Pentagon's pause, a decision it said was made to conserve U.S. stockpiles, also included precision munitions Ukraine needs to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he hoped to talk with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Friday or in coming days about the decision. HONOURED IN CENTRAL KYIV Mourners descended on St. Michael's to honor Ustymenko, whose coffin was later carried to Independence Square in a sombre procession. Fighter pilots are typically revered in Ukraine for their role in fending off the increasingly heavy waves of air strikes that Russia has launched against Ukrainian towns and cities since late 2022. Ustymenko was among the first 12 pilots to train on the prized American-made fighter, which Kyiv began deploying last August, deputy Air Force commander Serhiy Holubtsov said at the ceremony. Zakharchuk said Ustymenko had logged hundreds of hours on Soviet-era aircraft before transitioning to the F-16. He also tested Gripen fighter jets in Sweden. REUTERS
