Who is the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’: Fighter pilot inspires Ukrainians but there’s still no evidence

Rumours of an unnamed Ukrainian pilot fighter, dubbed the ‘Ghost of Kyiv‘ have begun to circulate online – but there is not much evidence he exists.

Many, including some linked to the Ukrainian government, have jumped on claims the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ hit six Russian planes in the first day of fighting, but experts warn there is a substantial lack of proof behind these assertions.

One video purporting to show the MiG-29 has garnered nearly five million views and spawned a flood of online adulation championing the pilot’s heroism against apparently technologically superior Russian forces, but this has now been debunked as a video from a simulation.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko added fuel to the fire on Friday tweeting an image of a man in a fighter jet, which he claimed was the notorious figure.

Is the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ an urban legend, an amalgamation of Ukrainian of real stories or a real-life super fighter? There is certainly reason for officials to promote such a heroic mascot in the face of an escalating war.

The Ukrainian government past and present have seized on rumours to promote Ukrainian strength.

Ex-president Mr Poroshenko shared an image of a man he claimed was the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ on Friday, along with the caption: “In the photo [is] the MiG-29 pilot. The same ‘Ghost of Kyiv’.

“It terrifies enemies and makes Ukrainians proud. He has 6 victories over Russian pilots!

“With such powerful defenders, Ukraine will definitely win!”

Similarly, the Ukrainian ministry of defence tweeted an image of a MiG-29 as part of a posting reporting that retired pilots were returning to the country’s air force.

The tweet in Ukrainian said: “Who knows, maybe one of them is the air avenger on the MiG-29, which is so often seen by Kyivites!”

Social media posts in Ukrainian also claimed that the “Ghost of Kyiv” has so far been responsible for downing two Russian Su-35s, one Su-27, one MiG-29 and two Su-25 fighter jets. One tweet claiming this has been re-shared more than 200 times.

There is a substantial lack of evidence the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ exists and experts are dubious six hits in one day is possible.

The claimed toll would account for all but one of the Russian aircraft reported by the Ukrainian military to have been downed on the first day of the invasion, though other losses may have gone unreported.

Aviation experts warned that the alleged exploits of the “Ghost of Kyiv” remained unsubstantiated however and the feat of a single pilot shooting down six enemy aircraft in a single day in the modern era is unheard of.

According to military aviation lore, any pilot known to have eliminated five or more enemy aircraft can claim to be an “ace”.

In addition, the footage alleging to show the fighter pilot flying over Kyiv was debunked by the internet fact-checking website Snopes, who found it was created with Digital Combat Simulator – a simulation game that was first released in 2008.