Ukraine loses F-16 pilot in largest Russian attack of war overnight
Kyiv, 29 June 2025 (dpa/MIA) – A Ukrainian pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter jet was hit while defending against the heaviest Russian air attacks since the war began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.
An air force statement said that the pilot, a lieutenant colonel, did all he could to guide his stricken plane away from residential areas, but failed to eject in time.
The pilot, born in 1993, reportedly downed seven targets before being hit.
"Unfortunately, we have suffered another painful loss," the air force statement said.
Zelensky expressed his sympathies to the pilot's relatives.
According to the air force report, Russia launched 537 drones, missiles and cruise missiles at Ukrainian territory overnight, causing injuries and severe damage to civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian media said the number was the highest since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
A residential block was hit in Smila, a city in the Cherkasy region to the south-east of Kiev. A child was injured, the local authorities reported.
Zelensky repeated demands for greater international pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
⚡ Massive Russian Strike on Ukraine: Over 500 Targets, Dozens of Missiles — and the Death of an F-16 Pilot
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 29, 2025
The night of June 29 became one of the heaviest in recent months. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia attacked with 477 drones and 60 missiles, including 41 Kh-101… pic.twitter.com/uP7LL7L7a7
Last week, Russia attacked with 114 missiles, more than 1,270 drones and almost 1,100 glide bombs, he said.
"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin long ago decided to continue fighting, disregarding the appeals for peace from around the world," Zelensky posted on Telegram.
He also stressed that Ukraine had to boost its air defences and said it was willing to buy US air defence systems.
The loss of pilots trained in the West on US F-16 fighter jets is seen as highly significant for Ukraine. Losses from F-16 squadrons have been relatively rare to date.
