Took Out Seven Targets Before Jet Hit, No Time To Eject

Ukrainian first-class F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko was killed in action after he shot down seven Russian drones and missiles during a major air attack on June 29 that involved a record 537 Russian drones and missiles. Ustymenko had used up all of aircraft’s weapons and his aircraft was struck and damaged while engaging the last target.

Ustymenko was able to maneuver his aircraft away from a populated area but was unable to eject in time.

This is the third Ukrainian F-16 downed since the country began taking delivery of the warplanes in February.

The Ukrainian Air Force expressed sincere condolences to Ustymenko’s family. He is survived by his four-year-old son.

The Air Force said in a statement, “Maksym Ustymenko did everything he could. He managed to steer the aircraft away from a populated area, but didn’t have time to eject… He died a hero.”

“Eternal flight, brother. You did everything you could,” they added.

Ustymenko’s first-class qualification level is a reflection of his skill, experience, and operational capability. President Volodymyr Zelensky posthumously awarded Ustymenko the title of Hero of Ukraine and called him one of the nation’s finest pilots.

Zelensky said, “Maksym had been fighting since the early days of the war in Donbas. He mastered four different aircraft types and achieved truly important results for Ukraine. It’s painful to lose people like him.”

Ustymenko was a classmate of renowned pilot Andrii Pilshchykov, known by his callsign “Juice,” who was killed two years ago.

Juice’s mother, Liliia Averianova, shared a tribute: “Max was a man of steel. He always strove to be the best — to defend Ukraine in the best possible way. He was the brightest mind in their group, a brilliant IT specialist. But he also had strong wings. A deep sense of responsibility. And unwavering dedication.”

FMI:  www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/