Zelensky awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to fallen pilot Maksym Ustymenko
29 June 2025 19:17
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who was killed today while repelling a massive Russian attack.
This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the official website of the President of Ukraine.
“For personal courage and heroism displayed in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I hereby decree: to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star to Ustymenko Maksym Yuriyovych, Colonel (posthumously),” the decree reads.
It should be noted that that night Russia massively attacked Ukraine using drones and missiles. In particular, there were more than 500 air targets.
Pilot Maksym Ustymenko was directly involved in repelling this attack. He used the entire set of onboard weapons and shot down 7 air targets. During the last one, his plane was damaged and began to lose altitude.
It is known that the pilot managed to take the plane away from the settlement, but did not have time to eject, and as a result, he died.
