Tale of daring Kyiv pilot may be simply a ghost story
He was hailed in Ukraine as a heroic “Top Gun” whose exploits epitomised the country’s fightback against Russia.
Known as the Ghost of Kyiv, the pilot was said to have shot down dozens of enemy fighter jets.
But questions remained over whether – as his supernatural name suggested – the airman actually existed.
Now, Ukraine’s air force has appeared to lay that ghost to rest – saying he actually represents all Ukrainian pilots defending the capital.
“The Ghost of Kyiv is alive and embodies a collective image of the highly qualified pilots of the tactical aviation brigade successfully defending Kyiv and the surrounding region,” said spokesman Yuriy Ignat.
Stories of the daring exploits of a Ukrainian pilot emerged in the hours after the Russian invasion on February 24. Local reports said he had been involved in more than 40 engagements in which he successfully struck Russian aircraft – and praised his heroism.
But in recent days, reports have said the pilot may have been killed in action, with speculation that the “ghost” was 29-year-old Maj Stepan Tarabalka, who lost his life on March 13.
Yesterday, Ukraine’s military denied that Tarabalka was the Ghost of Kyiv, but said that he was a skilled fighter pilot who had shot down many Russian aircraft.
Paying his last respects to Tarabalka, Mr Ignat appeared to suggest the Ghost of Kyiv was a symbol of Ukrainian courage defending the country’s skies against a much larger Russian air force.
In statements carried by the British newspaper The Times, Mr Ignat clarified that he had become an evocative symbol to boost soldiers’ morale.
He said that Tarabalka, a father of one, was awarded the Order of the Gold Star, the country’s highest honour, with the title Hero of Ukraine.
“Stepan was a brave and talented pilot, sorely missed by his family and fellow soldiers,” he said.
Tarabalka’s helmet and goggles are expected to go on sale at auction in London, according to The Times. The Ghost of Kyiv legend arose after the Ukrainian government released an artist’s impression of the fighter pilot in the first hours of the Russian attack on February 24.
Ukraine’s military has since claimed Russian combat losses, including 189 jet fighters and bombers.
Some analysts dispute the accuracy of these claims. But conflict monitors say that even if Ukraine’s claims of destroying vast amounts of Russian equipment are exaggerated, Russia has lost a considerable amount of its combat power.
In the wider conflict, more than 5.4 million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia launched its offensive two months ago, with tens of thousands joining their ranks every day, the UN has said.
The International Organisation for Migration estimates that more than 7.7 million people have been displaced within Ukraine.