Is The Ghost of Kyiv Dead? Ukrainian Air Force Officials Weigh In

Tales of the mythical ace pilot with a superhuman reputation of picking off Russian aircraft have persisted on social media since Russian forces began their assault of Ukraine.

On February 24, the first day of the conflict, a story emerged on Ukraine’s official Twitter channel about an unnamed Ukrainian pilot who allegedly shot down six Russian aircraft within the first 30 hours of the war. The Twitter channel said four more were shot down as of February 26.

The pilot, heralded as a hero for his actions, was given the nickname of “The Ghost of Kyiv” because of his ability to hit the targets then disappear quickly back into the air. 

Ukrainian officials quickly amplified the legend via the country's official Twitter account: “Ukraine probably got its first ace since World War II. This is the anonymous pilot of the MiG-29, nicknamed the Ghost of Kyiv.

To become an ace, a pilot must shoot down five or more aircraft. The term was coined by the French military propaganda during World War I.

Over the weekend, however, Ukrainian military officials weighed in on the Ghost's status, seemingly offering the final word settling the man-or-myth debate.

"The information about the death of the The Ghost of #Kyiv is incorrect," the Ukrainian Air Force said. "The #GhostOfKyiv is alive, it embodies the collective spirit of the highly qualified pilots of the Tactical Aviation Brigade who are successfully defending #Kyiv and the region."