Memory of Heroes
The deceased F-16 pilot Maksym Ustimenko was a classmate of Ukraine Hero Andrii (Yusov) Pilshchikov, who died two years ago. This was reported by Yusov's mother Liliya Averyanova.
"Max, a boy of steel. Always striving to be the best. The best to protect Ukraine. He was the super-intellect of the group, a great IT specialist. But he had big, strong wings. Great responsibility. Great dedication to the cause," - wrote Liliya Averyanova.
Yusov's mother added about Ustimenko: "He was destined to become a marshal of aviation. Together with Andrii since the first year, together forever in the sky."
Heroic Bravery
We remind that last night, defending Ukraine from a Russian air attack, pilot Maksym Ustimenko lost his life on board the F-16 aircraft. The press service of the Air Forces reported: "Unfortunately, today we have another painful loss. During the reflection of the enemy's massive air attack, F-16 pilot of the first class Colonel Maksym Ustimenko was killed. The pilot shot down seven aerial targets and demonstrated heroic bravery until the end."
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences and support: "Today he shot down seven aerial targets. My condolences to the family and comrades. I instructed to clarify all the circumstances of the death. The Ukrainian aviation heroically protects the sky. I thank everyone who defends Ukraine."
The events related to the death of pilot Maksym Ustimenko showed that the Ukrainian military continues to demonstrate heroic bravery and great dedication to protecting the country in wartime.