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Death of Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Underscores Risks of U.S. Munitions Freeze

Ukraine’s air force warns that paused F-16 missile shipments have forced pilots to resort to close-range cannon fire against swarming drones.

Service members of Honour Guard carry a portrait of Ukrainian military pilot Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died last Sunday operating an F16 fighter jet during a combat mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during his funeral ceremony at the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine July 3, 2025.  REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Service members of Honour Guard carry a coffin with the body of Ukrainian military pilot Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died last Sunday operating an F16 fighter jet during a combat mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during his funeral ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine July 3, 2025.  REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Relatives react next to a coffin with the body of Ukrainian military pilot Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died last Sunday operating an F16 fighter jet during a combat mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during his funeral ceremony at the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine July 3, 2025.  REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Service members of Honour Guard carry a portrait of Ukrainian military pilot Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died last Sunday operating an F16 fighter jet during a combat mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during his funeral ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine July 3, 2025.  REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Overview

  • Veteran pilot Maksym Ustymenko was killed on June 29 after downing seven Russian Shahed drones during a massive barrage of hundreds of UAVs and missiles.
  • Deputy western air command commander Oleh Zakharchuk said F-16 crews are expending all air-to-air missiles and engaging hostile drones with riskier cannon fire at close range.
  • The Pentagon has halted deliveries of key precision munitions, including air-to-air missiles for F-16s, citing the need to conserve U.S. stockpiles.
  • Recent Russian drone and missile strikes on Poltava, Odesa and other cities have killed dozens of civilians as Ukraine’s air defenses strain under renewed attacks.
  • President Zelenskiy plans to urge President Trump to lift the munitions pause and accelerate arms shipments to bolster Ukrainian air defense capabilities.