A Ukrainian pilot was killed and his F-16 fighter jet crashed as after Russia launched a huge aerial assault involving hundreds of drones and scores of missiles overnight, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday.

Ukraine says recent Russian attacks highlight its need for further support from Washington for air defenses including more Patriot-missile batteries from the U.S.

An F-16 fighter pilot crashed while repelling a Russian air attack. Ukraine has now lost three F-16s since it began operating the US-made jets last year.