Latest news with #Ustymenko
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maksym Ustymenko, the F‑16 pilot shot down by Russia, awarded Hero of Ukraine title
Ukrainian F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko, a seasoned aviator and combat veteran, was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine following his death in the country's largest-ever Russian aerial attack. Ustymenko downed seven targets before guiding his damaged aircraft away from civilians, marking a heroic final act Maksym Ustymenko: a legacy of heroism in Ukraine's Air Force Combat veteran and top-class aviator Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Final mission during largest Russian aerial attack National mourning and recognition Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Growing role of F-16 pilots in Ukraine's defense Maksym Ustymenko, a decorated Ukrainian F-16 pilot , was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine after he was killed intercepting Russia's largest missile and drone assault on June 29, 2025. He died after his F-16 was shot down by Russia and he tried to prevent his aircraft from crashing into a populated in 1993, Maksym Yuriiovych Ustymenko was a graduate of the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University and served in the Ukrainian Air Force since the early days of what Ukraine calls the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in 2014. Ustymenko became one of Ukraine's most capable military read: World War 3 fear is back! Russia fires over 500 drones, missiles, Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot killed, Kyi He was certified on four aircraft types and known for exceptional flight skills and mission precision. His colleagues regarded him as one of the finest tactical pilots in Ukraine's defense the night of June 28-29, 2025, Russia launched 537 aerial weapons against Ukraine, 477 drones and 60 missiles, in what officials described as the war's most intense air raid to date. Ustymenko took off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of several recently delivered by NATO to the Ukrainian Air Force, Ustymenko successfully neutralized seven Russian aerial threats. His aircraft was hit during an engagement with the final target. In his last moments, he directed the failing jet away from residential areas, ultimately dying in the crash without ejecting. The Air Force described his actions as 'heroic,' stating, 'He died like a hero.'Also read: Russia seizes key lithium field in a dare for US-Ukraine minerals deal President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the death and posthumous award during his June 29 address, stating: 'It is painful to lose such people. My condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and comrades.' Ustymenko was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Colonel and awarded the Order 'Golden Star.'Ustymenko's death coincides with the loss of the fourth Ukrainian F-16 since their February 2024 deployment. Previous F-16 losses include pilots Pavlo Ivanov and others in April and May. His sacrifice follows that of classmate Andrii 'Juice' Pilshchykov, who died in is survived by a four-year-old son. His widow's remarks, shared by the wife of fellow pilot Oleksiy 'Moonfish' Mes, expressed gratitude for his bravery and enduring use of American-made F-16s has played a critical role in Ukraine's air defense strategy, significantly improving its ability to intercept Russian drones and missiles. During the June 29 attack, Ukraine downed 436 drones and 38 missiles, with F-16 pilots like Ustymenko at the escalation in air warfare has intensified global discussions about advanced support for Ukraine. Officials warn that the scale and sophistication of recent Russian attacks demonstrate the continued need for air defense read: Pokrovsk in peril? Tensions surge as 111,000 Russian troops gather near Ukraine's frontline hotspot President Zelenskyy emphasized that pressure on Russia and further international aid remain critical: 'Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war. This war must be brought to an end.'
Mint
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Ukrainian F-16 pilot dies heroically repelling Russia's largest air assault
A Ukrainian F-16 pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, was killed early Sunday while defending against Russia's largest air assault since the war began, according to Reuters. 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.
UPI
21 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Ukrainian F-16 pilot killed in major Russian airstrikes
June 29 (UPI) -- A Ukrainian F-16 pilot died overnight Sunday during one of Russia's largest attacks since the invasion in 2022 that included several hundred drones and missiles, Ukraine's Air Force said. Lt. Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, 31, died after his fighter jet was damaged trying to intercept Russian missiles and drones, Ukraine's Air Force said. Ustymenko, who destroyed seven enemy air targets and managed to steer his jet away from populated areas but didn't eject in time. "Ustymenko did everything possible, but his jet was damaged and started losing altitude. He died like a hero!" Ukrainian military officials said. Ustymenko became Ukraine's third F-16 pilot to die in combat since the nation added U.S.-made planes last year. Russia attacked Ukraine with 537 missiles and drones, including 477 Shad-type attack drones and decoys launched into Russian-occupied Crimea, the Kiev Post reported from the military. Of those, 475 were shot down, including Shahed drones and 225 drones suppressed by electronic warfare. Russia's missile attack lasted nearly three hours and the drone siege went on for almost 10 hours. A Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Kirovske airfield in Crimea destroyed several helicopters and an air defense system, the Security Service of Ukraine said. "The SBU is systematically working to reduce the Russian Federation's capabilities to carry out air and bombing strikes on the territory of Ukraine," the military said. "The occupiers must realize that their expensive military equipment and ammunition are not protected anywhere: neither on the front line, nor in temporarily occupied territories, nor in the enemy's deep rear." The agency said Mi-8, Mi-26 and Mi-28 helicopters were destroyed. A dozen Ukrainians were injured in attacks against infrastructure, residential buildings and storage buildings in Lviv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Kyiv. Several explosions were reported in Kremenchuk and Lviv. And an industrial facility in the Poltava region caught fire as a result, officials said. A production site in Zaporizhzhia also was damaged. Russia, under Russian President Vladimir Putin, has increased its attacks on Ukraine's cities during a summer offensive, Politico Europe reported. "Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs," Zelensky said on Telegram. "Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world's calls for peace." Neighboring Poland, a member of NATO, scrambled jets and activated its ground-based air defense system, its military said. Zelensky urged more protection from its allies, including ballistic missiles, and efforts to end the war. "Ukraine must strengthen its air defense -- the thing that best protects lives," Zelensky said. "These are American systems, which we are ready to buy. We count on leadership, political will, and the support of the United States, Europe, and all our partners. I thank everyone who is helping." Last week during the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. might be able to provide anti-ballistic missiles. "We're going to see if we can make some available," Trump said. "They're very hard to get. We need them too. We were supplying them to Israel, and they're very effective. A hundred percent effective -- hard to believe how effective." The F-16 is a single-engine, single-seat supersonic jets have been produced by Lockheed Martin since 1976.
Bloomberg
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Ukraine's Women Keep the Economy in Gear Despite the War
Tetiana Ustymenko's family has worked in the coal mines of eastern Ukraine for generations, and as a girl she longed to carry on the tradition. But when she grew up, she discovered women weren't welcome 'deep below the heart of the planet,' as she describes the mines. Yet for more than two years, Ustymenko has spent untold hours piloting a small train along miles of tunnels, transporting miners and materials to subterranean worksites. She has Russian President Vladimir Putin to thank for the opportunity. 'It's good that women are being given a chance to prove themselves,' Ustymenko says. 'It's just a pity that it's the war that got us here.' Soon after Russian troops surged across Ukraine's border three years ago, more than 15% of the men working at the mine were mobilized. With most other big employers in the country facing a similar labor crunch, the management began seeking women to fill some posts at the mine, about 60 miles west of today's front line. Roughly 140 women now work underground in what the company considers less strenuous positions.
