Posts about an unidentified fighter pilot of the Ukranian Air Force, who is being called the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’, have become a talking point on social media. Amid the ongoing war with Russia, several Ukrainian social media users, including diplomats, are sharing a picture of a pilot, claiming that he took down six Russian aircraft.
Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko put out a picture of a fighter pilot in full battle gear in a cockpit calling him the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’, claiming that he took down six Russian aircraft.
?? ???? ????? ???-29. ??? ????? «?????? ?????».
??? ???????? ??? ? ??????? ?? ???????? ? ????????? ????
?? ???? ??????? 6 ??????? ??? ??????????? ????????!
? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ????? ????????! pic.twitter.com/GJLpcJ31Si
— ????? ????????? (@poroshenko) February 25, 2022
In a post, Nexta TV claimed that a Ukrainian pilot took down two Su-35s, one Su-27, one MiG 29 and two Su-25s.
??One #Ukrainian pilot in 30 hours shot down six #Russian airplanes, including the Su-35, according to the Center for Counteracting Disinformation.
A Ukrainian pilot of a MiG-29 shot down: 2?SU-35, 1?SU-27,1?MiG-29, 2?SU-25. In the network he was called “The Ghost of Kyiv”.
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 25, 2022
Even the Ukrainian Ambassador to the European Union also took to Twitter endorsing the story. “One Ukrainian MiG-29 jet fighter pilot scored six victories in a single day in air battles with the Russians. He has been nicknamed as the “Ghost of Kyiv”. Another example of the willingness of the Ukrainian people to resist. The civilized world must help protect our freedom,” Ambassador Mykola Tochytskyi said.
One Ukrainian MiG-29 jet fighter pilot scored six victories in a single day in air battles with the Russians. He has been nicknamed as the “Ghost of Kyiv”. Another example of the willingness of the Ukrainian people to resist. The civilized world must help protect our freedom! https://t.co/PL844KQrs9
— Mykola Tochytskyi (@tochytskyi) February 25, 2022
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi had said that six Russian aircraft were destroyed along with two helicopters and some armoured vehicles. However, there was no mention of any pilot.
A short video clip of a fighter aircraft flying low over buildings was identified as the one being operated by the Ghost of Kyiv.
Reports are coming that a Ukrainian pilot has shot down 6 Russian Aircraft today and might have possibly become the first 21st century fighter ace.
The pilot, known as “the Ghost of Kyiv” and his MiG-29 were seen in numerous videos from today.
— Visegrád 24 ???????????????? (@visegrad24) February 25, 2022
However, some fact checkers have called the video an old one released in 2008.
Nevertheless, the story is a morale booster not just for the Ukrainian Armed Forces but even the civilian population as they take on a superior military. The story has almost taken the status of an urban legend.
Even though there was no official word from the Ukraninian authorities, that did not deter officials from endorsing the story that helps Ukraine set the narrative of Ukranian forces hitting back at the Russians.
Sameer Joshi, a former Indian Air Force fighter pilot, also wrote on Twitter.
‘Ghost of Kyiv’ – Very interesting if true. Yes, A-A kills not impossible given the RuAF air vectors operating over Ukr. Let’s wait for the dust to settle down to verify exact numbers pic.twitter.com/7XrBcgMfEe
— Sameer Joshi (@joe_sameer) February 25, 2022
The story has an intriguing twist, as it was later said that the ‘ace’ pilot — a status given to someone who brings down five aircraft – was dead. However, this was debunked and called a rumour.