[Watch] Fact-Check: Is Ukraine’s Fighter Ace ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ Real?

Kyiv: The ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ — a fighter jet that has reportedly shot down six Russian aircraft — has become an Internet sensation. A video has surfaced on social media, capturing the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’.

Many have hailed the pilot as the “first European ace since World War II”.

Former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko also hailed the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’. He tweeted, “None other than the Ghost of Kyiv. He causes terror in enemies and pride in Ukrainians. He has six victories over Russian pilots! With such powerful defenders, Ukraine will definitely win!”

But is ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ real?

According to fact-checking websites, the video is a scene from Digital Combat Simulator, a free-to-play combat-simulation game.

The video was first posted by YouTube user Comrade_Corb, who says the footage is not real.

On his YouTube channel, Comrade_Corb has stated, “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.’”

Digital Combat Simulator is created by developer Eagle Dynamics with a free-to-play model. It features meticulously modelled combat aircraft and is renowned for its realism.