Kyiv/Warsaw, June 29 — In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia fired 537 aerial weapons, including 477 drones and 60 missiles, at Ukraine overnight in what is being described by military officials as the largest coordinated aerial assault since the start of the conflict. A Ukrainian F-16 supersonic fighter jet was shot down during the attack, killing its pilot, while NATO forces scrambled jets to secure nearby Polish airspace.
Ukrainian F-16 Shot Down, Pilot Killed
Ukrainian defense sources confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet, a Western-supplied aircraft, was downed by Russian forces during Sunday’s barrage.
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The pilot, Lt-Col Maksym Ustimenko, born in 1993, was reportedly engaging Russian aerial targets when his aircraft was struck.
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According to the Ukrainian Air Force’s Telegram channel:
“The pilot used all of his onboard weapons and shot down seven air targets. While shooting down the last one, his aircraft was damaged and began to lose altitude.”
This marks the third known loss of an F-16 in the ongoing conflict, underscoring the growing intensity and risk of Russia’s expanded air strategy.
Scale of Attack: 537 Aerial Weapons Deployed
The Ukrainian Air Force reported the following strike components:
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477 drones and decoys, primarily Russian-Iranian Shahed-type UAVs
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60 precision-guided missiles
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Attack spanned multiple Ukrainian cities, including areas in western Ukraine
A significant portion of the incoming threats was intercepted or jammed, but officials did not disclose exact damage assessments pending further reports.
NATO Reacts: Jets Scrambled to Secure Polish Airspace
In response to the cross-border threat perception, Poland’s Operational Command confirmed activation of NATO’s air response protocol.
“Due to the attack by the Russian Federation… Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace,” read a statement from Poland’s military command on X (formerly Twitter).
Key defense measures activated:
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Scrambling of duty fighter pairs
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Heightened status of ground-based air defense systems
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Full readiness of radar reconnaissance networks
The Polish Armed Forces stated themove was purely precautionary, aimed at safeguarding airspace bordering the conflict zone.
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Tensions Rise Amid Diplomatic Deadlock
The intensified assault occurred days after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated interest in resuming peace talks in Istanbul. However, Ukraine has accused Moscow of sending mixed signals, with peace overtures clashing with increased battlefield aggression.
“Talks without trust are meaningless when missiles are raining down,” a Ukrainian defense official stated.
FAQs (Schema Optimized)
Q1. Did Russia shoot down a Ukrainian F-16?
Yes, during a major aerial strike, Russia downed a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet, resulting in the death of pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustimenko.
Q2. How many aerial weapons did Russia use in the attack?
Russia launched 537 aerial weapons, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, in a single overnight operation.
Q3. Why did NATO scramble jets?
NATO, led by Poland’s military command, scrambled jets and activated air defense systems as a precautionary response to Russia’s missile and drone attacks.
Q4. What was the reaction from Poland?
Poland activated its highest air defense readiness, scrambled fighter jets, and increased radar surveillance to protect its airspace bordering Ukraine.
Q5. Is this the first F-16 Ukraine has lost in the war?
No, this is the third recorded F-16 loss by Ukraine since it received the fighter jets from Western partners.
