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Morning Brief: Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Killed, Trump Calls for Israel, Hamas Ceasefire, Serbians Protest

BY Guy D. McCardle

As Ukraine mourns a fallen F-16 pilot, Trump burns the midnight oil pushing for peace in Gaza, and 140,000 Serbs flood Belgrade demanding change—one thing’s clear: the world isn’t sleeping, and neither are its people. Welcome to Sunday, June 29, 2025. Here is your SOFREP Morning Brief.

Ukrainian F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko died while defending the skies over his home country. Image Credit: RBC-Ukraine

Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Killed Repelling One of Russia’s Largest Air Attacks

In one of the heaviest air assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Ukrainian skies lit up during the night of June 28–29 as Moscow launched over 500 aerial weapons at targets across the country. The attack included a staggering 477 drones and 60 missiles aimed at central, southern, and western Ukraine. The scale and coordination of the offensive were unlike anything seen in months—and it came at a heavy cost.

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Among the defenders was Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustimenko, a Ukrainian Air Force pilot flying an F-16. According to military officials, Ustimenko successfully engaged and destroyed seven incoming threats—both drones and missiles—before his aircraft was critically damaged while going after an eighth. Running out of onboard weapons, he did everything he could to steer the damaged fighter away from populated areas. Tragically, he didn’t have time to eject and was killed when the jet went down. His actions may have prevented a larger tragedy on the ground.

This marks the third F-16 Ukraine has lost in the war, a sobering reminder of how dangerous and demanding these air defense missions have become. President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly honored Ustimenko’s courage, saying he represented the kind of heroism that keeps Ukraine standing. An official investigation has been opened into the crash, but there’s little question he died doing exactly what he was trained for—protecting his country from above.

Despite the intensity of the assault, Ukraine’s defenses held remarkably well. Air defense units, backed by electronic warfare systems, intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles. Still, some weapons got through. Residential buildings and infrastructure took hits in several areas, and at least six civilians were injured, including a child.

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As Russia ramps up its aerial campaign, incidents like this show the brutal toll being paid by Ukrainian defenders—especially its pilots. Lt. Col. Ustimenko’s death is more than a loss for the air force. It’s a gut punch to a nation that relies daily on quiet acts of valor to survive.

 

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Trump Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire, Says Deal Is Within Reach

Donald Trump is ramping up calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, pushing both sides to hammer out a deal that would stop the fighting in Gaza and bring hostages home.

Following the recent 12-day flare-up between Israel and Iran, Trump has stepped up the pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying now is the right time to make peace. He’s gone public with his message, posting on Truth Social: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” and even claiming a deal could be secured “within the next week.”

But this isn’t just about ending the shooting. Trump is tying the ceasefire to a bigger diplomatic vision. He wants to build on the Abraham Accords—those normalization deals he brokered between Israel and several Arab nations while in office—and push forward with the idea of a two-state solution. That would mean broader peace between Israel and the Arab world, and maybe even a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, something that’s eluded every U.S. administration for decades.

Sources say Trump’s not sitting on the sidelines. He’s been in direct contact with Netanyahu and is working alongside U.S. diplomats to get things moving. He wants more than a short break in the fighting—he’s (still) aiming for a full release of the hostages and a path to long-term peace talks.

Still, serious hurdles remain. Israel isn’t eager to stop military operations just yet, and Hamas is demanding a full Israeli pullout from Gaza before any deal is finalized. Despite these challenges, Trump’s involvement is drawing attention and could tip the scales—at least that’s the hope. Whether it all comes together remains to be seen, but Trump clearly believes this is his moment to make peace in the Middle East.

 

Mass Protests Erupt in Serbia as Anger Boils Over Against Vucic

Serbia’s capital saw chaos on June 28, as riot police clashed with tens of thousands of anti-government protesters demanding an end to President Aleksandar Vucic’s 12-year grip on power. What began as a student-led demonstration swelled into one of the largest rallies in months, with an estimated 140,000 people filling the streets of Belgrade. The protests are the result of nearly eight months of growing unrest that started after a deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad last November killed 16 people. That tragedy sparked a wave of outrage over government corruption and neglect.

Police were out in force, surrounding key government buildings and clashing with protesters near parliament and public squares. As tensions escalated, some demonstrators hurled bottles, rocks, and flares. Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, leading to hours of running skirmishes across central Belgrade. Dozens were arrested, and at least six police officers were injured in the melee.

Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party, which still holds a majority in parliament, are refusing to budge. They’ve dismissed calls for early elections and accused the protest movement of being manipulated by foreign actors trying to destabilize the country. The government even shut down train services that day, citing a bomb threat—something critics say was a convenient excuse to keep people from joining the protest.

Despite a recent lull in turnout, the June 28 rally proves that public frustration hasn’t gone away. Students, teachers, farmers, and blue-collar workers marched side by side, united in their call for change. Whether Vucic listens or not, the message was loud and clear: a growing number of Serbs are ready for new leadership—and they’re not going home quietly.

 

 

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