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Who is the Ghost of Kyiv? TRUTH behind story of ace Ukrainian pilot who shot down Russian jets

According to viral videos, the Ghost of Kyiv supposedly shot down six Russian fighter jets

Early on February 23, it seemed like Russian forces would easily overpower the Ukrainian military in their invasion, but just a day later, the tide does appear to be turning. With Ukraine now firmly at war, stories and videos have emerged of their defiant battle and victories against Russians, such as the recapture of the airport in Kyiv from Russia. One of the viral clips showed a mysterious MiG-29 jet appearing over Kyiv to defend Ukrainian skies from Russian aerial attacks. Netizens even began celebrating the "Ukrainian fighter pilot" as “Ghost of Kyiv”, who allegedly shot down six Russian jets. 

Even the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense appeared to feed into the story, posting footage of the MiG-29 besting a Russian aircraft. However, it was later revealed to be from a flight simulation program. According to the fact-checking website Snopes, the video is a scene from Digital Combat Simulator (DCS), a free-to-play combat-simulation video game.

DCS is short for Digital Combat Simulator World, “free-to-play” digital battlefield game developed by Eagle Dynamics. Matthias Techmanski, a spokesperson for Eagle Dynamics, confirmed to Reuters via email that the footage circulating on social media is from DCS. “We are not responsible for its distribution, nor do we endorse such content,” he added.

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Who is the Ghost of Kyiv?

The video was first shared by a social media user Visegrad 24. The post claimed that a Ukrainian pilot had shot down six Russian aircraft on Friday, making him the first fighter ace of the 21st century. 

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also confirmed his presence, with a tweet on February 25. Poroshenko tweeted, "In the photo - the MiG-29 pilot. The same "Ghost of Kiev". It terrifies enemies and pride Ukrainians. He has 6 victories over Russian pilots! With such powerful defenders, Ukraine will definitely win!" along with a photo of the pilot in combat gear. 

Multiple social media posts claimed the pilot is named Vladmir Abdonov. Poroshenko too did not name the pilot, so for now his real identity is a mystery. That said, he's certainly more than an urban legend now. 

One website reported that the pilot has downed 2 SU-35 fighters, 1 SU-27, 1 MiG-29, and 2 SU-25 planes, which has been verified as of February 25. 

Social media has been quick to praise the pilot, who has even earned a parody Twitter account in his name. Here is just one of the many videos showing the pilot in action. Some claim the footage is old, but it is still him.

'The world has your back you absolute badass'

"Reports of this lone pilot having shot down 6 Russian Aircraft and possibly being the first 21st century Ace are circulating. They're being nicknamed the Ghost of Kyiv and I am in f-----g awe," one person tweeted. A second user said, "The ghost of Kyiv has me tearing up 😭 The world has your back you absolute badass." Another commented, "The Ghost of Kyiv is one of the most badass stories coming from this conflict. An Ukrainian Jet has taken down 6 Russian Jets in his own. This just shows that the will to protect your home is greater than any army in the world. Russia will not take Ukraine."

 "I hope the stories of "The Ghost of Kyiv" are true. You go. Keep going until you're dry on missiles and winchester on guns. Give those b------s the god damn stick," one person cheered. Another said, "The most badass thing I’ve read in a long time.. keep fighting Ukraine." A third tweeted, "Everything about this is extremely badass. “Ghost of Kyiv” is a God-tier nickname, bro needs his own Ace Combat game."