'Ghost of Kyiv' Majo Stepan Tarabalka Dies After Shooting 40 Russian Jets

A fighter pilot from Ukraine recognized among the masses as the 'Ghost of Kyiv' passed away after shooting down at least 40 Russian planes in the previous month.

After his death, 29 years old Major Stepan Tarabalka has been identified as the mysterious person from the Ukrainian air forces. He is survived by his wife Olenia and an 8-year-old son name Yarik.

As per media reports, Major Tarabalka was killed on 13 March 2022 at the time when he was flying at MiG-29 and was shot down while fighting the strong Russian army.

Ukrainian regarded the pilot as a guardian angel after the government credited him with shooting down as many as 6 Russian Jets on the initial day of the conflict.

During that time people were unaware of his true identity but he gained much fame and turned out to be the enigmatic character called as 'Ghost of Kyiv.'

Most probably, the name was given to him because of the sense of mystery associated with him and his role in fighting the enemies.

The Ukrainian government in a recent official tweet wrote that the pilot was called Ghost of Kyiv and rightly so the UAF ace personality dominated the skies over Kyiv and Ukraine by becoming the nightmare for Russian jets invading the country.

The General Staff of Ukraine also posted a tweet along with a picture of Major Tarabalka where he is seen in the cockpit of MiG-29 aircraft but his face was hidden in the image. The caption with the picture of the fighter pilot reads, 'Hello occupier, I am coming for your soul.'

For his excellent service and contribution to the air forces, Tarabalka won the posthumous award of 'Order of the Golden Star' which is considered Ukraine's top medal.

Notably, the ace pilot also won the title of 'Hero of Ukraine' for showing such courage during the war in fighting the strong enemies.

Tarabalka was a resident of a small village of Korolivka located in western Ukraine. Becoming a pilot was his dream since childhood as he was inspired by the planes that used to move fly above his village.

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