The death of a skilled Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot during combat with Russian drones highlights the increasingly dangerous strategies Ukraine may have to rely on if it cannot secure vital new air defense systems, a top military official warned on Thursday (July 3). In recent weeks, intensified Russian air assaults on Ukrainian cities have resulted in numerous civilian deaths. Ukrainian authorities caution that without increased international military support—particularly ammunition—the situation could worsen.

Oleh Zakharchuk, deputy commander of Ukraine’s western air command, made these remarks at the funeral of pilot Maksym Ustymenko, held at Kyiv’s golden-domed St. Michael's Monastery and Cathedral. His comments followed the Pentagon’s announcement that it would temporarily halt some key weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Zakharchuk emphasized the urgent need for weapons: "There is no such thing as enough weapons," he said. "If we can’t use missiles due to lack of supply, it becomes extremely challenging."

Ustymenko died on June 29 after downing seven Russian Shahed drones amid a massive air assault that included hundreds of drones and missiles. After exhausting his F-16’s air-to-air missiles, he was forced to use the aircraft’s guns—a far riskier method requiring close-range engagement. Zakharchuk defended the tactic: "If a Shahed drone isn’t destroyed and it hits a residential area causing civilian deaths, what should we do? We choose to eliminate aerial threats, no matter how risky."

The delayed U.S. aid package includes essential missiles for F-16s. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Thursday killed at least four people in Poltava and Odesa. The Pentagon stated that the pause in arms shipments is meant to preserve its own reserves, affecting the availability of precision-guided weapons Ukraine needs to repel Russian advances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his intention to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump soon regarding the delay.

Tribute in Kyiv: Crowds gathered at St. Michael’s to pay their respects to Ustymenko. His casket was later brought to Kyiv’s Independence Square in a solemn procession. Fighter pilots hold hero status in Ukraine for their critical role in defending against Russia’s escalating air attacks since late 2022. Ustymenko was among the first dozen Ukrainian pilots trained to fly the highly sought-after U.S.-made F-16s, according to deputy Air Force commander Serhiy Holubtsov. Before switching to the F-16, Ustymenko had flown numerous hours in Soviet-era aircraft and had also tested Sweden’s Gripen fighter jets.