After shooting down 40 Russian jets, the “Ghost of Kyiv” a father of one dies in battle, and his identity is revealed

Major Stepan Tarabalka, known as the “Ghost of Kyiv,” acquired a worldwide reputation for shooting down ten Russian planes on the first day of the battle.

According to the Times of London, a Ukrainian fighter pilot known as the “Ghost of Kyiv” was killed in a battle last month after shooting down as many as 40 Russian planes. The brave pilot was recognised as Major Stepan Tarabalka, a 29-year-old father of one, by the publication.
The Tarabalka, a MiG-29, was shot down on March 13 while facing an “overwhelming” amount of enemy forces, according to the UK publication.

According to his relatives, the jet pilot was posthumously awarded Ukraine’s finest honour for gallantry in combat, the Order of the Golden Star. He has also been bestowed the title of Ukrainian Hero.

According to the Times, his helmet and goggles will be auctioned in London.

🕯13 березня 2022 року під час повітряного бою з переважаючими силами 🇷🇺 загарбників «пішов у небо» майор Степан Тарабалка.
⁰🎖За захист повітряного простору, доблесть і відвагу майору Степану Тарабалці присвоєно звання «Герой України» (посмертно). pic.twitter.com/otjqT32ZP4

— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 25, 2022

Tarabalka became famous around the world after firing down ten Russian planes on the first day of the invasion. “He’s known as the Kyiv Ghost.” In a tweet last month, the Ukrainian government stated, “And properly so.”