News

#’Ghost of Kyiv’ Major Stepan Tarabalka killed in battle

“‘Ghost of Kyiv’ Major Stepan Tarabalka killed in battle”

The mysterious Ukrainian fighter pilot hailed as the “Ghost of Kyiv” after reportedly shooting down dozens of Russian aircraft has been killed in battle, an outlet said Friday.

The death of the much-celebrated enigmatic pilot was reported by The Times of London, which for the first time also publicly identified Major Stepan Tarabalka, a 29-year-old father of one, as the war hero.

Tarabalka was credited with taking out as many as 40 Russian aircraft until he was himself shot down March 13 while battling an “overwhelming” number of enemy forces, the UK paper said.

Tarabalka was posthumously awarded Ukraine’s top medal for bravery in combat, the Order of the Golden Star, with the title Hero of Ukraine, according to his family.

His helmet and goggles — all that was seen of him when Ukrainian officials promoted his heroism — are now set to be auctioned in London, sources told the UK Times while confirming Tarabalka’s identity.

The "Ghost of Kyiv" has been identified as Major Stepan Tarabalka.
The “Ghost of Kyiv” has been identified as Major Stepan Tarabalka.

Tarabalka became a mysterious legend when the Ukrainian government credited the then-anonymous pilot with shooting down six Russian jets on the first day of the war.

“People call him the Ghost of Kyiv. And rightly so,” the official tweet said, saying he had “already become a nightmare for invading Russian aircraft.”

Ukraine’s General Staff later tweeted another picture of the ace fighter pilot in the cockpit of his MiG-29 jet with his face covered, captioned, “Hello, occupier, I’m coming for your soul!”

Many people questioned whether the “Ghost” was real, as his identity remained a mystery — seemingly even to his grieving family when told of their loved one’s death last month.

His parents, Nahtalia and Evon Tarabalka, were interviewed by NPR soon after his death — and they gave no mention of his secret status nor any hint they knew what missions he had been on.

“We know he was flying on a mission. And he completed the mission, his task. Then he didn’t return. That’s all the information we have,” his dad told the outlet.

"Since early childhood, he always dreamed of the sky," his mother told NPR.
“Since early childhood, he always dreamed of the sky,” his mother told NPR.
Twitter/@yirmiucderece
"We know he was flying on a mission," his parents said of his death.
“We know he was flying on a mission,” his parents said of his death.
Twitter/@intel1osint100

Tarabalka’s parents detailed how their son’s lifelong dream was to become a fighter pilot while growing up next to a military airfield in the village of Korolivka.

“Since early childhood, he always dreamed of the sky, about flying higher than the clouds,” his mother told NPR through a translator.

Tarabalka leaves behind a wife and young son.
Tarabalka leaves behind a wife and young son.

“He would always watch the paratroopers in their air exercises. And he would run in their direction to try to see where they landed,” Nahtalia said.

His parents said said they were amazed when he made his dream come true, despite having no military connections.

“Becoming a pilot, it was his own effort. He did it all himself. I just helped with prayers,” his mother said.

They confirmed that Tarabalka — who leaves behind a wife, Olenia, and 8-year-old son, Yarik — was awarded the Order of the Golden Star, with the title Hero of Ukraine.

“Of course, he’d already earned this award when he was with us,” his father told NPR.

“But we wish he could get the honor after the war. We just wish he was still alive.”

If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on Google News too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.

For forums sites go to Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com

If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our News category.

Source

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close

Please allow ads on our site

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker!