The urban legend about the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ arose as early as in the first days of the Russian-Ukrainian war based on inspiring reports about the exploits of the heroic Ukrainian military ace pilot who, flying his MiG-29 fighter of the Ukrainian Air Force, shot down six enemy planes in the battles for Kyiv only in the first 30 hours after the beginning of the invasion.

Later it became known that the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ was the collective image of the 40th tactical aviation brigade, which defended the sky above the capital having put the end to the aggressor’s offensive actions. It is their feat that is glorified by a mural unveiled on August 27, 2022 on Ukraine’s Aviation Day, which has become a real tourist attraction of Podil and Kyiv. A team of talented artists worked on its creation under the leadership of the famous muralist Andrii Kovtun. After the official opening ceremony, the guests of honour left their palm prints in yellow and blue paint on the wall of the mural as a symbol of unity and everyone’s contribution to common Victory.