The F-16 was one of several fighter jets deployed to shoot down incoming Russian drones.
Ukraine confirmed on Sunday the loss of a fourth American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon. The aircraft was reportedly shot down while helping counter the largest Russian missile and drone strike carried out to date. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posthumously bestowed the title “Hero of Ukraine” and the Order of the Gold Star on the pilot, who was identified by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence as Colonel Maksym Yuriiovych Ustymenko.
“He was killed defending our skies and our people during yet another large-scale Russian attack,” Zelensky said in a statement.
Russia Is Ramping up Strikes on Ukraine
A total of 537 missiles and drones were confirmed launched at targets in Ukraine on Sunday, including in Cherkasy, Lviv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed in a social media post that it had destroyed 475 aerial threats, but at the cost of an F-16 and its pilot. In addition, dozens of civilians were reported to have been injured, while several residential buildings were destroyed and critical infrastructure was seriously damaged.
The overnight attack comes as part of Russia’s summer offensive that began in May.
“Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs,” Zelensky added. “Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world’s calls for peace.”
The F-16 Downing Was a Major Loss for Ukraine
Colonel Ustymenko’s F-16 was one of several fighter jets deployed to shoot down the incoming threats, when a missile reportedly struck it. Ustymenko attempted to steer his Fighting Falcon “away from a populated area,” but was unable to eject before it crashed. The exact location where the F-16 crashed has not been disclosed.
Ustymenko’s loss may be even greater than the jet fighter. According to Ukrainian media, the pilot was a veteran who took part in the “Anti-Terrorist Operation,” Kyiv’s campaign against pro-Russian separatists that began in 2014. He was also one of a small number of aviators to be trained on the F-16. The highly specialized training can take months to complete.
“He mastered four types of aircraft and achieved truly significant results for Ukraine,” President Zelensky added. “It is painful to lose people like him. My condolences to his family, loved ones, friends, and comrades.”
Kyiv Calls for Further Help from the West
The recent waves of attacks prompted Zelensky, who attended the NATO summit in The Hague last week, to call for additional support. The Ukrainian leader said that his nation needs greater protection from missiles, drones, and other airborne threats.
In his nightly address, Zelensky stated that “Ukraine must strengthen its air defense” and added that Kyiv would be committed to purchasing American-made platforms, notably the MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft system.
Trump, who has expressed frustration at Zelensky in the past, said that the United States also depends on the Patriot, but pledged to try to “make some available.” The US president described the Patriot system as “a hundred percent effective,” a point that is not precisely accurate. However, the MIM-104 Patriot has been highly effective in countering Russian ballistic and cruise missiles, and was even credited with downing one of the Kremlin’s hypersonic missiles. Kyiv currently operates around half a dozen of the US-made air defense systems.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Flight Video and Photo.
Mollis Switzerland August 19 2023: Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon banking sharply with smoke trails streaming in the clear blue sky, highlighting modern military aviation performance. Image: Shutterstock / Flight Video and Photo.
