The Ukrainian Air Force last night said the Ghost of Kyiv was “alive” and embodied a “collective image” of Ukrainian pilots fighting Russia around the capital.
Spokesman Yuriy Ignat dismissed claims the legendary figure was Major Stephan Tarabalka, 29, a fighter pilot who was killed last month.
Ukrainian sources had earlier said that Tarabalka, a MiG-29 pilot, was known as the “Ghost of Kyiv” and his helmet and goggles were expected to go on sale at auction in London.
However Ignat said: “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.”
Ignat said that Tarabalka “died heroically on March 13th, being awarded with the Gold Star
