Ghost of Kyiv
The Ghost of Kyiv (Ukrainian: Привид Києва, romanized: Pryvyd Kyyeva) is the nickname given to an unconfirmed MiG-29 Fulcrum flying ace. They are known for shooting down six Russian planes in the Kyiv offensive on 24 February 2022.[1][2] The Ghost of Kyiv is likely an urban legend[3] and not a real flying ace.
| Ghost of Kyiv | |
|---|---|
 Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 | |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Service/branch |  Ukraine Air Force |
| Battles/wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
As early as May 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force said that Ghost of Kyiv is only a myth; The air force also gave a warning that people should not "neglect the basic rules of information hygiene" and to "check the sources of information, before spreading" information.[4][5][6]
History of the myth
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said that the Ghost of Kyiv could be one of dozens of experienced pilots of military reserve who returned to the Armed Forces of Ukraine after Russia invaded.[7]
A former Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, later posted a tweet of a photograph of a fighter pilot, claiming it to be the Ghost of Kyiv, who Poroshenko said was real.[8]
Ghost Of Kyiv Media
Ghost of Kyiv, painting by Andriy Dankovych
The image tweeted by Poroshenko
3D fan art of the Ghost of Kyiv
Original photo of Andrii Pilshchykov, 25 April 2019
Andrii Pilshchykov's selfie, 25 April 2019
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References
- ↑ 'ПРИВИД КИЄВА': ПІЛОТ МІГ-29 ЗА 30 ГОДИН ЗДОБУВ 6 ПОВІТРЯНИХ ПЕРЕМОГ НАД ОКУПАНТОМ (in uk). 5 Kanal (Ukraine) (February 25, 2022). Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ↑ Van Brugen, Isabel. 'Ghost of Kyiv' Ukraine fighter pilot becomes the stuff of legend. Newsweek (February 25, 2022). Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ↑ Keller, Jared. 'The Ghost of Kyiv' is the first urban legend of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Task & Purpose (February 25, 2022). Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ↑ Bubola, Emma (1 May 2022). "Ukraine acknowledges that the 'Ghost of Kyiv' is a myth.". The New York Times. . https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/world/europe/ghost-kyiv-ukraine-myth.html. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ↑ Beachum, Lateshia (1 May 2022). The 'Ghost of Kyiv' was never alive, Ukrainian air force says.. . https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/01/ghost-of-kyiv-propaganda/. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ↑ Peter, Laurence (1 May 2022). "How Ukraine's 'Ghost of Kyiv' legendary pilot was born". BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61285833. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ↑ 🛩🛩🛩🛩 До строю авіації... - Міністерство оборони України (in uk). Facebook (February 25, 2022)Ministry of Defence (Ukraine). Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ↑ Former Ukraine president confirms the 'Ghost of Kyiv' is real (in en). MARCA (2022-02-26). Retrieved 2022-02-26.
