Know all details about Lt Col Maksym Ustymenko, who died after his F-16 fighter jet was shot down by Russia
Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, a distinguished first-class F-16 pilot in the Ukrainian Air Force, was recently mourned as one of the nation’s fallen heroes following a large-scale Russian aerial assault on the night of June 28–29, 2025. Reports indicated that he had successfully taken down seven enemy aerial assets during the operation, demonstrating both remarkable skill and extraordinary bravery.
Who is Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Yuriiovych Ustymenko, Ukraine F-16 pilot and shot down and killed in Russia attack, biography, age and education
First Class Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, born in 1993, was killed in action by Russia while flying an F-16. 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko of the Ukrainian air force, was the third F-16 pilot killed since the Ukrainians began began flying the jets last summer, and his plane was the fourth F-16 Ukraine has lost since then.
The Air Force added that his aircraft was damaged while he was trying to shoot down the last one, losing altitude and crashing saying in a statement, “Maksym Ustymenko did his best to take the plane away from the settlement, but did not have time to eject.”
Age 32 Maksym Yuriiovych Ustymenko was a graduate of the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University and served in the Ukrainian Air Force since the early days of what Ukraine calls the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in 2014.
His aircraft was eventually struck during the final engagement, and though he had made every effort to steer it away from civilian areas, he had not been able to eject in time. Colleagues who had served alongside him described Ustymenko as a man of unshakable resolve—someone whose intellectual brilliance and strong technical abilities had long set him apart. It was recalled that he had studied with the late pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov and was considered a natural leader within their circle who died in 2022 and is survived by his wife and four year old son.
Last night, during a massive enemy air attack, First Class Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, born in 1993, was killed in action flying an F-16.
Maksym did everything he could to steer the aircraft away from a populated area. He didn’t have time to eject…
Our deepest… pic.twitter.com/dekUks3rYW
— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) June 29, 2025
Those who knew him often spoke of his deep sense of duty and unwavering commitment to the defense of his homeland. Tributes poured in across social platforms and military circles, with Liliia Averianova, mother of Pilshchykov, remarking that Ustymenko had always strived to be the very best—not only in the skies but also in service to Ukraine. She reflected on his strength, discipline, and leadership potential, noting that many had believed he could have risen to the rank of air marshal.
Morning in Ukraine.
One more surviving night.
One more storm of steel and fire.477 Shaheds.
4 Kinzhals.
7 Iskanders.
5 Kalibrs.
41 KH-101 missiles.russia threw everything it had.
And still it wasn’t enough to break us.But it was enough to wound.
Enough to kill.Among the… pic.twitter.com/HeKodTjbbP
— Angelica Shalagina🇺🇦 (@angelshalagina) June 29, 2025
Yuliia, the wife of another fallen pilot, expressed her condolences to Ustymenko’s family and reminded others of the cost of freedom. She pointed out that while sleepless nights might seem inconvenient to most, they paled in comparison to the grief now endured by those closest to him. It was shared that Ustymenko had left behind a four-year-old son.
Friends and fellow servicemen had since come together to launch a fundraiser aimed at supporting his surviving family. Ustymenko’s memory, they believed, would continue to inspire future generations who looked to the sky with courage in their hearts.
Last night, First Class pilot Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko was killed while flying an F-16 aircraft and defending Ukraine’s skies from a Russian attack.
Maksym used the full range of onboard weapons and shot down seven Russian targets.
While destroying the final target,… https://t.co/S6potV6IZQ pic.twitter.com/mQ23aJH1pp
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 29, 2025