A Ukrainian fighter pilot was killed and an F-16 fighter jet destroyed as Russia launched its most massive aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began, Ukraine’s military confirmed on Sunday.
In the overnight attack, Russian forces launched over 500 drones and missiles, targeting western, southern, and central parts of the country. Explosions were reported in Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy, with infrastructure and homes damaged and at least six civilians injured.
“This was the most massive air strike,” said Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force. “It involved a wide range of aerial weapons and hit regions far from the frontlines.”
The Ukrainian Air Force stated that out of 477 drones and 60 missiles, 249 were shot down and 226 neutralized using electronic jamming.
The fallen pilot, whose name has not been released, was credited with shooting down seven enemy targets during the strike. Tragically, his F-16 sustained critical damage during the final interception. Though he managed to steer the jet away from populated areas, he could not eject in time and died in the crash.
This marks the third F-16 loss for Ukraine since acquiring the advanced jets from the Netherlands and Denmark in 2024. The jet involved in this incident was reportedly one of the last two delivered just a month earlier.
Ukrainian officials have hailed the pilot as a hero, emphasizing the sacrifices made to protect civilian lives in the face of relentless aggression.
