Ukrainian F-16 downed during Russian air assault as fighting intensifies

New Delhi, Jun 29: Ukraine has confirmed the loss of an F-16 fighter jet and its pilot during efforts to repel a large-scale Russian air assault, amid continued heavy fighting in the fourth year of war reports Al Jazeera and International media.

The country’s air force said the aircraft was engaged in defending against a barrage of missiles and drones when it was damaged and lost altitude. Ukrainian air defences reportedly shot down seven targets before the fighter crashed overnight.

The pilot, identified as a first-class officer, was killed in the incident. The loss comes as Ukraine faces one of the most intense phases of Russian aerial attacks in recent months.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russia launched 537 aerial projectiles across the country, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Ukraine claimed to have intercepted 475 of them. Multiple regions reported explosions and damage, including the southern city of Mykolaiv, southeastern Zaporizhia, western Lviv, and central Cherkasy. This latest escalation follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks signalling a potential reduction in military spending and an openness to renewed peace negotiations. However, with no let-up in hostilities and continued aerial bombardments, prospects for any ceasefire remain distant.