As Russian troops take control of the Ukrainian cities two days after launching “special military operations”, social media is rife with rumours of a mysterious MiG-29 jet appearing over Kyiv to defend Ukrainian skies from Russian aerial attacks.
Netizens have shared clips of a Ukrainian fighter pilot, now being celebrated as “Ghost of Kyiv”, who has allegedly shot down six Russian aircraft. The videos of the “Ghost of Kyiv” have spread like wildfire on social media. Many on Twitter are calling the Ukrainian pilot the “first European ace since World War II”.
In aerial warfare technology, an ‘ace’ is a pilot who has shot down five or more aircraft during combat.
A social media user Visegrad 24, shared a video of a MiG-29 chasing down purported Russian aircraft. He said that reports were saying that a Ukrainian pilot had shot down six Russian aircraft on Friday, making him the first fighter ace of the 21st century.
The social media user claimed that the pilot is now known as the “Ghost of Kyiv”.
Reports are coming that a Ukrainian pilot has shot down 6 Russian Aircraft today and might have possibly become the first 21st century fighter ace.
— Visegrád 24 🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰 (@visegrad24) February 25, 2022
The pilot, known as “the Ghost of Kyiv” and his MiG-29 were seen in numerous videos from today.
pic.twitter.com/2T7IXIGQAb
According to one viral post, the “Ghost of Kyiv” has so far downed two Su-35s, one Su-27, one MiG-29 and two Su-25s of the Russian Airforce.
Rumors from the Ukraine frontline allege a “Ghost of Kyiv” has downed 6 Russian jets.” via MilitaryAircraft. pic.twitter.com/HTuQ62EhJS
— Vote, fuckers. (@AnalizeThis) February 24, 2022
It is not just the common Ukrainians who are posting unverified videos and images to hail “Ghost of Kyiv”. Former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko also posted a photo to claim that the pilot was the “Ghost of Kyiv”.
In the tweet, Poroshenko says, “None other than the Ghost of Kyiv. He causes terror in enemies and pride in Ukrainians. He has six victories over Russian pilots! With such powerful defenders, Ukraine will definitely win!”
На фото – пілот МіГ-29. Той самий «Привид Києва».
— Петро Порошенко (@poroshenko) February 25, 2022
Він викликає жах у ворогів та гордість в українців 🇺🇦
На його рахунку 6 перемог над російськими пілотами!
З такими потужними захисниками Україна точно переможе! pic.twitter.com/GJLpcJ31Si
However, the pilot is yet to be identified. It is speculated that Poroshenko’s tweet is just an attempt to boost public morale rather than confirming the existence of a mystery pilot.
Fact-checkers says there is no evidence to prove existence of “Ghost of Kyiv”
Meanwhile, fact-checkers have analysed some of the viral videos to establish that some of the footage claiming to identify the “Ghost of Kyiv” is not real.
One such video was shared by a Ukrainian social media user saying that Ukrainian pilot “Ghost of Kyiv” shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet. He had shared a video of a dogfight between two fighter jets.
Ukrainian pilot who is 6-0 shoots down a Russian Su-35 with his Mig-29. He’s been nicknamed the ghost of Kyiv, and is the first pilot since WW2 to achieve ace status! pic.twitter.com/WsoadzLrdQ
— Olegi21 🇺🇦💙💛 (@ItsOlegi21) February 25, 2022
According to the fact-checking website Snopes, the video is a scene from Digital Combat Simulator, a free-to-play combat-simulation video game.
The video was first posted by YouTube user Comrade_Corb, who clearly states that the footage is not real.
On his Youtube channel, Comrade_Corb has put out the facts that read, “This footage is from DCS, but is nevertheless made out of respect for “The Ghost of Kiev”. If he is real, may God be with him; if he is fake, I pray for more like ‘him.'”
So far, there is no evidence to prove the existence of the “Ghost of Kyiv”. However, the photos and videos have kept the hopes of Ukrainians alive amidst ongoing Russia’s military operations inside Ukraine.
Amidst all these rumours, Russian troops are currently closing in on Kyiv, the seat of Ukrainian power, after taking control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
