Intensified Russian Attack Results in Pilot’s Death and Damage Across Ukraine
On June 29, 2025, a significant Russian aerial assault on Ukraine led to the death of F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko during efforts to counter the strike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the pilot’s family while instructing officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, reports 24brussels.
In a post on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy highlighted that the aggressor nation would not cease its bombardments of Ukraine. He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains committed to continuing the war, despite global calls for peace. The President emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, particularly through the acquisition of American systems, to better protect against Russian attacks.
This week alone, Ukrainian forces intercepted over 1270 drones and 114 missiles, as well as nearly 1100 aerial bombs.
Today, Russia launched an extensive attack on Ukraine, deploying 477 drones and 60 missiles of types including Kalibr, Kinzhal, Iskander-M/KN-23, and X-101/Iskander-K. Ukrainian military managed to destroy 475 airborne targets. However, significant damage was inflicted, particularly in Lviv region where critical infrastructure suffered damage, and in Ivano-Frankivsk where a woman was reported injured. In the city of Smila, Cherkasy region, six individuals sustained injuries, with damage to three nine-story buildings and substantial destruction to the National University of Food Technologies’ college. Additionally, in Poltava, the main and suburban railway stations were impacted by the attack.
