Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukraine loses F-16 pilot in Putin’s largest aerial attack since start of war

No less than six civilians had been discovered useless throughout Ukraine as Russia launched its largest aerial assault in opposition to the war-hit nation in a single day.

Three individuals had been killed in every of the drone strikes within the Kherson, Kharkiv and the Dnipropetrovsk areas, in keeping with the three governors.

One other particular person was killed by an airstrike in Kostyantynivka, native officers stated.

Along with aerial assaults, a person died when Russian troops shelled town of Kherson, and the physique of a 70-year-old girl was discovered underneath the rubble of a nine-story constructing hit by Russian shelling within the Zaporizhzhia area.

Within the far-western Lviv area, a big fireplace broke out at an industrial facility within the metropolis of Drohobych following a drone assault that additionally lower electrical energy to elements of town.

Russia fired a complete of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, together with 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, Ukraine’s air drive stated.

Of those, 249 had been shot down and 226 had been misplaced, seemingly having been electronically jammed.

The onslaught was “essentially the most large airstrike” on the nation for the reason that starting of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, stated Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air drive.

1. 29 June 2025 – 537 drones and missiles
2. 9 June 2025 – 499 drones and missiles
3. 1 June 2025 – 479 drones and missiles
4. 17 June 2025 – 472 drones and missiles
5. 6 June 2025 – 452 drones and missiles

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot died in a crash whereas repelling a Russian air assault that concerned a whole lot of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, authorities stated yesterday, as Moscow intensifies night-time air barrages within the fourth yr of struggle.

“Tragically, whereas repelling the assault, our F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko died,” stated president Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Immediately, he destroyed 7 aerial targets.

“My condolences to his household and brothers-in-arms. I’ve instructed that each one the circumstances of his dying be investigated. Ukrainian aviation is heroically defending our skies. I’m grateful to everybody who’s defending Ukraine.”

Mr Zelensky referred to as for extra assist from Washington and Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defences after the assault, which broken properties and infrastructure throughout the nation and injured at the very least 12 individuals, in keeping with native authorities.

Russia launched its “most large airstrike” on Ukraine for the reason that start of the war as a part of an escalating bombing marketing campaign, dashing hopes of a ceasefire.

Air raid alerts sounded “virtually all evening lengthy” on Saturday as Russia fired a complete of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, together with 477 drones – principally Russian-Iranian Shaheds, plus quite a few decoys – and 60 missiles.

The assault focused a number of areas, together with west Ukraine, removed from the entrance line.

Ukraine’s air force stated it had managed to shoot down 249 and an extra 226 had been misplaced, seemingly having been electronically jammed.