A Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed whereas repelling probably the most intense Russian air assault because the begin of the warfare, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned Sunday.
An air power assertion mentioned that the pilot, a lieutenant colonel, did all he might to information his stricken airplane away from residential areas, however didn’t eject in time.
The pilot, born in 1993, reportedly downed seven targets earlier than being hit.
“Unfortunately, we have suffered another painful loss,” the air power assertion mentioned.
Zelenskyy expressed his sympathies to the pilot’s relations.
According to the air power report, Russia launched 537 drones, missiles and cruise missiles at Ukrainian territory in a single day, inflicting accidents and extreme injury to civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian media mentioned the quantity was the very best because the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
A residential block was hit in Smila, a metropolis within the Cherkasy area to the south-east of Kyiv. A baby was injured, the native authorities reported.
Zelenskyy repeated calls for for larger worldwide stress on Russian President Vladimir Putin to finish the warfare.
Last week, Russia attacked with 114 missiles, greater than 1,270 drones and virtually 1,100 glide bombs, he mentioned.
“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin long ago decided to continue fighting, disregarding the appeals for peace from around the world,” Zelenskyy posted on Telegram.
He additionally burdened that Ukraine needed to enhance its air defenses and mentioned it was prepared to purchase U.S. air protection programs.
The lack of pilots educated within the West on U.S. F-16 fighter jets is seen as extremely vital for Ukraine. Losses from F-16 squadrons have been comparatively uncommon up to now.
Source: www.dailysabah.com