Death News of Ukraine Hero 'Kyiu's Ghost'... "Created to Boost Morale"

Pilot Known as the Ghost of Kyiv Killed
Ukrainian Air Force "Never Shot Down 40 Fighter Jets"

[Image source=Ukrainian Air Force Twitter]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian Air Force has officially revealed that the story of the so-called 'Ghost of Kyiv' pilot, who was believed to have shot down more than 40 Russian fighter jets, is fictional. This move is interpreted as an effort to prevent morale from dropping following reports of the pilot's death.

On the 3rd (local time), the Ukrainian Air Force stated on Facebook, "The Ghost of Kyiv was a fictional hero created by Ukrainians," adding, "Major Stefan Tarabalka, who was called the Ghost of Kyiv, never shot down 40 Russian fighter jets." They emphasized, "The Ghost of Kyiv known so far is not the story of one person but a collective image of the pilots of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade protecting Kyiv's skies."

The reason for the Ukrainian Air Force's sudden clarification is believed to be the earlier news of Major Tarabalka's death, who had been called the Ghost of Kyiv. Previously, local Ukrainian media reported that Major Tarabalka died after his MIG-29 fighter jet was shot down during a battle against overwhelmingly numerous enemy forces on March 13.

Major Tarabalka was hailed as a hero of Ukraine and played a role in boosting the morale of both the Ukrainian military and civilians. Early in Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian government posted a video on Twitter calling him the 'Ghost of Kyiv,' claiming he had shot down six Russian fighter jets, elevating him as a war hero. Later, rumors spread that he alone had shot down more than 40 of the 190 Russian aircraft downed by the Ukrainian military, increasing his popularity among the public.

However, since Major Tarabalka's identity was not disclosed, speculation arose that such heroic tales were created to boost national morale, but the Ukrainian government denied these speculations. Subsequently, a photo of Major Tarabalka wearing a helmet and mask, concealing his face, was released as the 'Ghost of Kyiv.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.