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“Ghost of Kyiv” Real or Urban Legend? Some facts about the “Ace” of Ukraine

March 1, 2022
Bharat Times

“Ghost of Kyiv” is a massive morale booster for Ukrainian forces

new Delhi:

A Ukrainian fighter pilot has been credited with shooting down 10 Russian jets on the first day of the invasion. Although this claim is unverified, some Ukrainian ministers and local media have said that the pilot, whose identity is unknown and quickly nicknamed the “Ghost of Kyiv”, flew the MiG-29 on its way to an ace – a pilot who scored five does or kills more.

Some military analysts have said that the “Ghost of Kyiv” will become an urban legend, but is nonetheless serving as a massive morale booster for the Ukrainian military in the face of overwhelming odds.

The combined strength of the invading Russian forces – land, air and sea – exceeds that of the Ukrainians. But reports of the “Ghost of Kyiv” and Ukrainian soldiers bravely making a last stand, shared widely on social media, have helped Ukrainians remain optimistic despite the greater threat.

The official Twitter account representing Ukraine tweeted, “People call him the Ghost of Kyiv. And rightly so – this UAF ace dominates the skies over our capital and country, and is already one to attack Russian planes.” It’s become a nightmare.”

The tweet features an animated clip and visuals of a MiG-29 fighter jet on a combat air patrol over a city in Ukraine.

“Ukrainians are grateful to this hero … who has Russian planes for breakfast,” the tweet said.

Fact-checking website Snopes says the “Ghost of Kyiv” may be a real pilot, but videos on social media showing a dogfight in which a Ukrainian jet shoots down a Russian plane are certainly fake, because The video is of an air combat simulation game. Called “DCS”.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met for the first time on Monday when Moscow launched its full-scale offensive with Ukraine demanding an armistice and the withdrawal of Russian troops. The talks ended with both sides agreeing to continue with a second round of talks “soon”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin set conditions for an end to Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine as Russian forces shelled another city in the country due to Western sanctions.

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