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Keller, J. (2022, Feb 25). ‘The Ghost of Kyiv’ is the first urban legend of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Task & Purpose. Accessed February 25th. https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/ghost-kyiv/

Lakshman, S. (2022, Feb 24). Who is the Ghost of Kyiv? 'Badass' Ukrainian pilot hailed for shooting down 6 Russian jets. Meaww. Accessed February 25th. https://meaww.com/ghost-of-kyiv-who-is-ukrainian-ace-pilot-downs-6-russian-jets-internet-reactions-563015

Simko-Bednarski, E. (2022, Feb 25). Who is the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’? Story of Ukrainian ace pilot goes viral. New York Post. Accessed February 25th. https://nypost.com/2022/02/25/who-is-the-ghost-of-kyiv-story-of-ukrainian-ace-pilot-goes-viral/#

Smith, Chris. (2022, Feb 25). Ghost of Kyiv is trending online – here’s what it means. BGR. Accessed February 25th. https://bgr.com/politics/ghost-of-kyiv-is-trending-online-heres-what-it-means/

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News Story Investigation The Ghost of Kyiv

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Early on February 23, it seemed like Russian forces would easily overpower the Ukrainian military in their invasion, but just a day later, the tide does appear to be turning. With Ukraine now firmly at war, stories have emerged of their defiant battle and victories against Russians, such as the recapture of the airport in Kyiv from Russia. We're now getting stories of a hero from the air as well, who has been nicknamed 'The Ghost of Kyiv'.

As we reported, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine with a series of missile strikes aimed at multiple cities. Shortly before that, it engaged in a disinformation campaign via a cyberattack and even threatened Ukrainian soldiers. It then sent a column of tanks from the Belarusian border, capturing the Chernobyl nuclear plant on its way to Kyiv. While Ukraine has lost several key battles, it certainly isn't giving up.
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There's now some good news coming from the region, in the form of an ace pilot dubbed 'The Ghost of Kyiv'. While Russia attempted to bomb Ukraine's airfields before sending its troops in, it appears some elements survived the onslaught, and are now hitting back hard in what is proving to be a bloody, and expensive war.

Who is the Ghost of Kyiv?

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. Unconfirmed reports say he has downed 6 Russian enemy aircraft with his MiG-29 fighter jet. The score means he is now a 'fighter ace', an air force term used for a pilot who has downed at least six enemy aircraft. Whoever the Ghost of Kyiv is, he is reportedly the first European fighter ace since World War 2.

One website reported that the pilot has downed 2 SU-35 fighters, 1 SU-27, 1 MiG-29, and 2 SU-25 planes, but these figures are yet to be verified. We do know that multiple Russian planes have been downed, as confirmed by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. It's just one of the few positive stories to come out from the invasion, with Ukraine pretty much left to itself to defend its country.

Social media has been quick to praise the pilot, who has even earned a parody Twitter account in his name. Here is just one of the many videos showing the pilot in action. Some claim the footage is old, but it is still him.

"Reports of this lone pilot having shot down 6 Russian Aircraft and possibly being the first 21st century Ace are circulating. They're being nicknamed the Ghost of Kyiv and I am in f-----g awe," one person tweeted. A second user said, "The ghost of Kyiv has me tearing up 😭 The world has your back you absolute bada-s." Another commented, "The Ghost of Kyiv is one of the most badass stories coming from this conflict. An Ukrainian Jet has taken down 6 Russian Jets in his own. This just shows that the will to protect your home is greater than any army in the world. Russia will not take Ukraine."

Reports of this lone pilot having shot down 6 Russian Aircraft and possibly being the first 21st century Ace are circulating. They're being nicknamed the Ghost of Kyiv and I am in fucking awe. https://t.co/lakzodkEiU
- Hawkerhellfire (@hawkerhellfire) February 24, 2022

The Ghost of Kyiv is one of the most badass stories coming from this conflict. An Ukrainian Jet has taken down 6 Russian Jets in his own. This just shows that the will to protect your home is greater than any army in the world. Russia will not take Ukraine.#RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/W3HmdWiIjV
- Nayan (@cooldud_69) February 25, 2022

"I hope the stories of "The Ghost of Kyiv" are true. You go. Keep going until you're dry on missiles and winchester on guns. Give those b------s the god damn stick," one person cheered. Another said, "The most bada-s thing I've read in a long time.. keep fighting Ukraine." A third tweeted, "Everything about this is extremely badass. "Ghost of Kyiv" is a God-tier nickname, bro needs his own Ace Combat game."

I hope the stories of "The Ghost of Kyiv" are true. You go. Keep going until you're dry on missiles and winchester on guns.

Give those bastards the god damn stick. pic.twitter.com/VxZZYRGrTK
- SiggYeen (@SiggYeen) February 24, 2022

If you have a news scoop or an interesting story for us, please reach out at (323) 421-7514

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Who is the Ghost of Kyiv? 'Badass' Ukrainian pilot hailed for shooting down 6 Russian jets

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Early on February 23, it seemed like Russian forces would easily overpower the Ukrainian military in their invasion, but just a day later, the tide does appear to be turning. With Ukraine now firmly at war, stories have emerged of their defiant battle and victories against Russians, such as the recapture of the airport in Kyiv from Russia.

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MIG-29 fighter aircrafts fly at a military air base in Vasylkiv, Ukraine REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Unconfirmed reports of an ace Ukrainian fighter pilot have gone viral, with social media users dubbing the fighter the "Ghost of Kyiv."

Supposedly downing as many as six Russian planes in the first day of combat, the Ghost of Kyiv - and their MiG-29 Fulcrum - quickly became a folk hero in a war breathlessly watched online.

According to one widely circulated post, the Ghost of Kyiv is believed to have shot down four Russian fighter jets - two Su-35 Flankers, one Su-27 Flanker and one MiG-29 Fulcrum - as well as two ground-attack aircraft, so-called Su-25 Frogfoots.

The reports remain unconfirmed by Ukrainian officials - and the war remains rife with misinformation and propaganda.

As one Twitter user pointed out, such a kill count would stretch the ammunition capacity of the Soviet-era MiG-29.

Soldiers look at the debris of a military plane that was shot down overnight in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 25, 2022.

EPA

Russia continued its attack on Ukraine on Feb. 25, 2022.

Regardless, many on social media argued the legend of an ace fighter pilot holding off the Russian advance was useful in its own right.

I want so badly for the 'Ghost of Kyiv' MIG-29 air ace RUMINT to be true
- Jared Keller (@jaredbkeller) February 24, 2022

"True or not, this is EXACTLY the kind of inspiring story the resistance needs right now," one user said.
Get the latest updates in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with the Post's live coverage.
Ukrainian officials said Thursday their forces had downed seven Russian planes in total, along with six Russian helicopters.

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Who is the 'Ghost of Kyiv'? Story of Ukrainian ace pilot goes viral

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Unconfirmed reports of an ace Ukrainian fighter pilot have gone viral, with social media users dubbing the fighter the "Ghost of Kyiv." Supposedly downing as many as six Russian planes in the first day of combat, the Ghost of Kyiv - and their MiG-29 Fulcrum - quickly became a folk hero in a war breathlessly watched online.

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This image was used to show the Ghost of Kyiv. However, it's still not completely confirmed if this is them or not, although it does seem to be the only photo surfacing as of now.

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The aircraft used by the Ghost of Kyiv

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This symbol popped on Twitter within hours of the story's release and is acting as the symbol for the mythical hero

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‘The Ghost of Kyiv’ is the first urban legend of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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They call him ‘the Ghost of Kyiv’ — and despite thousands of digital prayers to the contrary, he is in all likelihood a work of fiction.

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Ghost of Kyiv is trending online - here's what it means

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Russia invaded Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning, and there's been an all-out war ever since. After massive artillery bombardments and air raids, Russian forces have attacked from the north, east, and south. Videos and photos quickly appeared on social media, documenting all that and showing the advance of the invasion in real-time.

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#Kyiv pic.twitter.com/Q5JQixF2Fo
— Aldin 🇧🇦 (@aldin_ww) February 24, 2022