Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot, Maksym Ustymenko was killed in what is considered to be the deadliest aerial attack launched at Ukraine in months. The pilot had successfully shot down seven Russian air targets before being shot down himself. At least three people were killed in civilian casualties, and many were more injured.
This comes off the attack that Russia launched last night. The overnight assault involved firing a total of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles. 249 of these were shot down and 226 were electronically jammed, according to Ukraine's air force.
Yuriy Ihnat, Head of Communications for Ukraine’s air force, termed this as the “most massive airstrike” that the country has suffered, given the number of drones and missiles fired.
Taking to X, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote, “ Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes. Just this week alone, there have been more than 114 missiles, over 1,270 drones, and nearly 1,100 glide bombs.” He goes on, “Putin long ago decided he would keep waging war, despite the world's calls for peace. This war must be brought to an end — pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection. Protection from ballistic and other missiles, from drones, and from terror.”
He later called for urgent support from the United States and Western allies to help strengthen Ukraine’s air defences. In an emotional message following Russia's deadly overnight attack, Zelensky said, “pressure on the aggressor is needed, and so is protection.”
The attack is reported to have targeted several regions across Ukraine, including Western Ukraine. Poland too sounded an alarm in their airbases on Sunday. One person and six were wounded in the drone strike in Poland, reported Governor Ihor Taburets.
