Ghost of Kyiv: Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot Hailed For Shooting Down 6 Russian Jets On Internet

Who is the Ghost of Kyiv?

According to Twitter and Reddit, the mystery mega-ace now called “The Ghost of Kyiv” has singlehandedly shot down “six Russian aircraft” to achieve ace-in-a-day status.

According to internet claims, the Ghost of Kiev chalked up six air-to-air kills with no less than two Russian Sukhoi Su-35s, a Russian Su-27 Flanker, a Russian MiG-29, and two Russian Su-25 ground attack aircraft allegedly “shot down”. And he’s still fighting, at least according to the internet.

According to meaww.com, The real identity of the pilot is unknown. However, social media footage has been widely circulated showing him in action, which is certainly impressive to behold.

Is Ghost of Kyiv Real?

There probably is no “Ghost of Kyiv” and this internet legend is probably not true. The legend of the “Ghost of Kyiv” is almost certainly an example of bizarre distortions and manipulations of fact or near-fact that are amplified during the chaos of war, especially a new war during the opening hours.

These legends sometimes have at least some basis in fact, but as they travel through language barriers and across borders at the speed of light via social media, they become embellished, retransmitted, and retweeted as “news”.

There may have been Ukrainian air-to-air victories on the opening day of the war. There may have even been seven total or some other number.

But the likelihood that seven of these alleged aerial victories belongs to a singular, gallant “ace-in-a-day” is remote.

Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed the existence of the “Ghost of Kyiv”. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said in a Facebook post on Thursday that at least six Russian planes and two helicopters had been destroyed on the first day of fighting.

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Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces entered a second day on Friday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that 137 civilians and military personnel had been killed so far since Russia launched the invasion.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Russian forces appeared to have infiltrated a residential district of Kyiv.