Why it doesn’t matter if the Ghost of Kiev is an Urban Legend

The Ghost of Kiev is now generally reputed to be an urban legend regarding a fictional Ukrainian fighter pilot known to operate a MiG-29 Fulcrum that doesn’t actually exist. Here’s why that doesn’t matter. The Ghost of Kiev is not a person to look up to with admiration and respect, but an idea that is meant to represent the spirit of Ukrainian resistance. He stands for the pride that Ukrainians have for their country; he stands for the opposition to Russian occupation in their own territory. And most of all, he stands for the greater sense of values for the culture of the nation as a whole.

This fact itself is what made him valuable as a morale booster, as it served to awaken the greater Ukrainian society’s sense of patriotism for their homeland. Victoriousness in combat thrives on inspiration and hope, as this gives people the assurance that they can succeed in doing what they feel is right. Ukraine needs dedication from the masses and true commitment to realistic goals to win their war with Russia. The Ghost of Kiev may sound like a shameless rip-off of the Angel of Gracemeria from a video game like Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, but if his purpose was to encourage the descendants of the Cossack Hetmanate to fuel the fires of liberation for their own real-life republic so that their country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity will prevail in the end, then he accomplished that goal very well. His work will be remembered for years to come.

Go dance with the angels, Mr. Putin! May the Golden King, Volodymyr the Great, smile down upon the people of Ukraine!