Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star to Colonel Maksym Ustimenko.
About this It is stated on the website of the President of Ukraine.
— For personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the presentation of the Order of the Gold Star to Maksym Yuryevich Ustimenko, Colonel (posthumously), — says Decree No. 444/2025.
What is known about the deceased F-16 pilot Ustimenko
On the night of June 29 Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones. Unfortunately, F-16 pilot Maksim Ustimenko died while repelling air targets.
Now watching
How the head of state noted in his evening video address, “Maxim Ustimenko fought since the ATO, he mastered four types of aircraft, and he has achieved truly important results for Ukraine.”
He was a classmate of the Ukrainian pilot Andrey Pil'shchikov Dzhus, who died in 2023.
