Heroic 'Ghost of Kyiv' fighter pilot is a myth, Ukraine says
The Ukrainian military officially ended speculation about the "Ghost of Kyiv," admitting that the legendary pilot is actually a myth.
"Ghost of Kiev is a superhero-legend whose character was created by Ukrainians!" the Ukrainian Air Force said in a Facebook post Saturday.
The admission comes after it was reported Friday that 29-year-old Major Stepan Tarabalka, who some had credited with being the Ghost of Kyiv, was shot down and killed in battle last month.
Stories of the legendary pilot grew in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with some crediting the mythical pilot with shooting down at least 40 Russian fighter jets as Ukrainian forces defended the capital city of Kyiv.
