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Reuters

Ukrainian F-16 pilot's death shows perils of air defense, commander says

Reuters · New
Reuters
Reuters
New

A Ukrainian senior commander said at the funeral for Maksym Ustymenko that the experienced F-16 fighter pilot's death shows the high-risk tactics Kyiv will increasingly adopt if it is unable to obtain critical new air defenses.

BreakdownGenerated by LeadStory AI
  • A funeral was held for F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who was killed after downing seven Russian drones.
  • Ukrainian pilots are increasingly revered for their role in defending against Russian airstrikes. 11s
  • Ustymenko's death highlights the high-risk tactics required due to shortages in air defense systems. 32s
  • The Pentagon has paused some arms supplies to Ukraine, including F-16 missiles. 46s
  • Ustymenko was among the first Ukrainian pilots trained to fly American-made F-16s. 2m 7s
Military & Conflict