Maksym Ustymenko
Ukrainian fighter pilot (1993–2025)
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Maksym Yuriiovych Ustymenko (Ukrainian: Максим Юрійович Устименко; 1993 – 29 June 2025) was a Ukrainian fighter pilot with the rank of pidpolkovnyk in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a participant of the Russo-Ukrainian war, during which he was killed in 2025. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.[1]
1993
UkraineMaksym Ustymenko | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Максим Устименко |
| Born | Максим Юрійович Устименко 1993 Kharkiv, Ukraine |
| Died | (aged 31) |
| Allegiance | Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Air Force |
| Service years | 2017–2025 |
| Rank | Pidpolkovnyk |
| Conflicts | Russo-Ukrainian War † |
| Awards |  Order of the Gold Star (Posthumously)Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class |
| Alma mater |  Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University |
Biography
Born in 1993,[2] he was a classmate of the fallen pilot and Hero of Ukraine Andrii Pilshchykov.[3]
On the night of 29 June 2025, Ustymenko fought off a massive Russian attack in an F-16 fighter jet; he managed to destroy seven air targets. While practicing on the last target the plane was damaged; the pilot took the plane away from the settlement, but did not have time to eject.[4]
Awards
- Titled Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star (29 June 2025, posthumously)[1]
- Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class (28 February 2022)[5]