Russia downs Ukrainian F-16 in massive airstrike, killing pilot Maksym Ustimenko as NATO scrambles jets. Photo/X.
Russia has downed one Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet and killed the pilot who was intercepting one of the largest Russian aerial attacks overnight.
Ukraine’s air force has described the overnight Russian attack as the largest-scale air attack on the country.
According to the reports Ukranian F-16 pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustimenko intercepted seven air targets before his aircraft was damaged.
Russia is reported to have launched 477 drones and four Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine overnight. In addition, Russia launched seven short-range ballistic missiles, five Kalibr cruise missiles, 41 Kh-101 cruise missiles and three anti-aircraft guided missiles against Ukraine.
In response to the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Polish Military scrambled NATO jets and put its air defenses on high alert.
Also Read: Russian Drone Strike on Ukrainian City of Odesa Kills Married Couple, Injures 17
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in february 2022. During his campaign, US President Donald trump had promised that he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours. However, months have passed since he was reelected, but no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
Several rounds of talks have been held in Saudi Arabia and Turkey this year. Ukraine has accepted President Trump’s laid-out proposal for a ceasefire; however, Russian President Putin has dodged the deal.
Instead, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine in the recent months, drawing condemnation from Trump.
“Frankly, I had some problems with Zelensky,” Trump said during a NATO press conference in The Hague, adding that reaching a ceasefire deal with President Putin has been difficult.
As Russia intensifies the aerial attack against Ukraine, Kyiv completely depends upon the US and its European partners for air defense and retaliation.
Trump has shown willingness to transfer Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, which are capable of shooting down high-end Russian weapons.
The US has given Ukraine some F-16 fighter jets, which Kyiv has been using to intercept Russian attacks. During these skirmishes, Ukraine has lost two F-16 pilots.
Also Read: Russia Launches Largest Aerial Assault Over Ukraine Since the War Began, Kyiv Says
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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