Ustimenko was a classmate of Jusa: photo of the F-16 pilot who died this night.

Memory of Heroes

The deceased F-16 pilot Maksym Ustimenko was a classmate of the Hero of Ukraine Andrii (Jus) Pilipchykov, who died two years ago. This was reported by Jusa's mother Liliya Averyanova.

'Max, a guy of steel. Always striving to be the best. The best to defend Ukraine. He was the super intellect of the group, a wonderful IT specialist. But he had big, strong wings. Great responsibility. Great dedication to the cause,' wrote Liliya Averyanova.

Jusa's mother added about Ustimenko: 'He would have become a marshal of aviation. Together with Andrii from the first course, together forever in the sky.'

Heroic Courage

It should be reminded that during the night, defending Ukraine from an air attack by the Russian Federation, pilot Maksym Ustimenko lost his life aboard an F-16 aircraft. The Air Force press service reported: 'Unfortunately, today we have another painful loss. During the repulsion of a massive air attack by the enemy, pilot of the 1st class, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustimenko was killed on an F-16 aircraft. The pilot repelled seven air targets and exhibited heroic courage until the end.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences and support: 'Today he destroyed seven air targets. My condolences to the family and comrades. I instructed to clarify all the circumstances of the death. The Ukrainian aviation heroically defends the sky. Thank you to everyone who protects Ukraine.'

The events related to the death of pilot Maksym Ustimenko have shown that the Ukrainian military continues to exhibit heroic courage and great dedication to the defense of the country in a Time of war.