Ghost of Kyiv

In February 2022, after Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine, rumors started circulating about a Ukrainian fighter pilot dubbed the “Ghost of ...

As these rumors circulated, so did a miscaptioned video supposedly showing the Ghost of Kyiv in action: When this video was posted to other social media sites, it was miscaptioned as genuine footage of the Ghost of Kyiv. The video was originally posted to YouTube by “Comrade_Corb.” The original caption identified this clip as a simulation and noted that it was created as an homage to the Ghost of Kyiv. This is not a genuine video of the Ghost of Kyiv. This video was created with Digital Combat Simulator, a simulation game that was first released in 2008. 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.” The "Ghost of Kyiv" may be real, but this video is not.

Reports of a Ukrainian pilot, dubbed "the ghost of Kyiv," who shot down six Russian planes has inspired awe across the internet.

They held their ground and were killed in a bombardment. — KnowNothing (@KnowNothingTV)February 25, 2022 — Latham Joiner (@latham_joiner)February 25, 2022 — Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson)February 25, 2022 “The Ghost of Kyiv,” who is piloting an MiG-29, has allegedly shot down a total of six Russian aircraft since the invasion — two Su-35 planes, two Su-25 planes, a Su-27 plane and a МіG-29 plane — during just the first day of the Russian invasion on Thursday. — Maria Zolkina (@Mariia_Zolkina)February 25, 2022

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko added fuel to the fire on Friday, tweeting an image he claimed was the notorious figure.

There is certainly reason for officials to promote such a heroic mascot in the face of an escalating war. The same ‘Ghost of Kyiv’. One tweet claiming this has been re-shared more than 200 times.

Rumours suggest an unnamed pilot has single-handedly shot down several Russian jets – but is it just an urban legend? (Picture: REX/Getty).

In another, the ministry shared the debunked footage of the apparent dog fight between the ‘ghost’ and a Russian jet over Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian ministry of defence appears to have used the legend to bolster the image of the country’s airforce, acknowledging the power of the myth in people’s imaginations. The video was originally posted acknowledging it was a simulation and created in ‘homage to the Ghost of Kyiv’ but as the video has been widely shared this disclaimer has been lost. Ukrainian forces claimed to have shot down five Russian aircraft and a helicopter on Thursday, reports that have not been verified and reputed by the Russian Military. The claimed ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ achievements sound like something out of a Hollywood film and have been accompanied by footage allegedly showing the ace pilot in action. Ukrainian authorities have jumped on unconfirmed reports of an ace pilot dubbed the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ operating in the skies in a bid to boost morale.

Videos of a jet flying over Ukraine have social media buzzing about unconfirmed claims that a fighter pilot called the “Ghost of Kyiv” took down six Russian ...

The Russian military hasn’t reported any casualties during the attack. The Ukrainian military said it has killed over 1,000 Russian troops while fending off Moscow’s invasion. @abhinavsoni83 added: "A new hero arises. @KhaledEibid wrote "This Ukrainian Pilot is becoming a legend in Kyiv, He has successfully challenged 6 Russian pilots alone.. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 137 "heroes," including 10 military officers, had been killed. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

A clip of a Ukrainian fighter jet blowing up a suspected Russian aircraft started trending on social media yesterday. Many believed it was proof of the ...

And while some people might still be learning how to navigate the tumult of posts whenever a new crisis or tragedy takes over the news cycle, it’s almost always the bigger accounts, the ones who should (and often do) know better, who are actually helping to drive the flow of bullshit. It’s now a media literacy 101 to be skeptical of any unsourced information spread by seemingly random accounts online. A clip of a Ukrainian fighter jet blowing up a suspected Russian aircraft started trending on social media yesterday.