Ukraine Loses Top Fighter Pilot in Brutal Russian Attack

In one of the fiercest air assaults yet, Russia launched a brutal overnight barrage across Ukraine firing 477 drones and 60 missiles that left multiple cities in flames and claimed the life of a heroic Ukrainian F-16 pilot.

At least 12 people were injured as explosions rocked Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and other regions.

In Cherkasy alone, 11 civilians including two children were wounded.

Apartment blocks were scorched, windows shattered, and a college building suffered heavy damage.

Air raid sirens echoed across the nation as terrified families fled to underground metro shelters.

But amid the destruction, a chilling tale of sacrifice emerged.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, one F-16 pilot identified as a decorated veteran of the 2014 anti-separatist campaign managed to shoot down seven enemy air targets during the onslaught.

His aircraft was struck during the final engagement.

Despite his best efforts to steer the damaged jet away from civilian areas, he had no time to eject before the plane crashed.

“He mastered four types of aircraft and had important results in defending Ukraine,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly address.

“It is painful to lose such people.”

This marks the third F-16 Ukraine has lost since acquiring the American-made jets last year.

The exact number in Ukraine’s fleet remains classified, but they are now central to the country’s air defense.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military claims it intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles, while 225 drones were lost due to electronic warfare or were non-explosive decoys.

Russian state media reported one civilian killed by a Ukrainian drone in the Luhansk region.

Both sides deny targeting non-combatants.

Pressure Mounts for U.S. Aid

In an emotional post on X, President Zelensky called on the international community particularly the U.S. under President Donald Trump to step up military support, including Patriot missile systems.

“Moscow will not stop as long as it has the capability to launch massive strikes,” Zelensky wrote.

“Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense—the thing that best protects lives.”

With more than 1,270 drones, 1,100 glide bombs, and 114 missiles fired by Russia in just the last week, Ukraine says time is running out.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine is prepared to buy American systems outright if needed and urged Washington to show “leadership and political will.”

Regions Hit in Overnight Assault:

Kyiv – Machine gun fire and explosions reported

Lviv – Rare strike hits key infrastructure

Cherkasy – 11 injured, major residential damage

Ivano-Frankivsk – Woman injured

Poltava, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk – Explosions reported

Luhansk (Russian-held) – One civilian reported killed by Ukrainian drone

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