A Ukrainian fighter pilot who many are now calling the "Ghost of Kyiv" has purportedly taken out six Russian fighter jets during the first stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. After President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine yesterday, this early hero is inspiring memes across Twitter and other platforms.

The footage of the pilot, flying a MiG-29 aircraft overhead Kyiv, was recorded and posted to Twitter yesterday morning. Soon after, a nickname was born, championed by native Ukrainians. If the rumors are true, six planes were taken down by them, making them a "Flying Ace," according to users like Occupy Democrats.

People are naming this lone MiG-29 pilot the "Ghost of Kyiv". He's reportedly scored 3-4 victories today, less than a day into the invasion.

Godspeed. 🇺🇦 https://t.co/crKOZTV53U

— dinotrakker 🚀🇺🇦 (@dinotrakker) February 24, 2022

In subsequent fashion, the imagery of the fighter jet became an exploitable, used in memes that praised the Ghost's efforts. Additionally, the name "Ghost of Kyiv" was "too cool" for meme creators to ignore. Within the hour, many had likened them to anime heroes or other characters of alpha status, using Chads as a reference to the rumored pilot.

Following the exploits of a Fulcrum pilot nicknamed "The Ghost of Kyiv" who has scored a confirmed three if not four aerial victories today (working on verifying the fourth). Footage is old, but it's him. What a fucking chad

Don't count the Ukrainian Air Force out just yet https://t.co/JwSGRIGTZd

— theScottishKoala – ArmorCast (@Sc0ttishKoala) February 24, 2022

The Ghost of Kyiv is top tier anime protagonist. pic.twitter.com/T0eFPuuoJa

— Grummz (@Grummz) February 25, 2022

They calling this nigga ghost of kyiv, this the hardest Shit I’ve ever heard in my life. https://t.co/p4S57UxJIM

— maybach o (@PrivateGordon_) February 25, 2022

1: Ghost of Kyiv, extremely badass nickname, one of the best nicknames in history

2: Write the movie https://t.co/MoneuVLM3c

— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) February 25, 2022

I shall dedicate the MiG-29 I keep on my shelf to the Ghost of Kyiv.
Keep the skies safe Ace. https://t.co/378bOXt2Ho

— Hypersonic Falcon (@Hyper_Falcon) February 24, 2022

Just made this after hearing about 'The Ghost of Kyiv' on here. Godspeed Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/cA4RyzzRrx

— Mason🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸💙💛 (@Manticore_01) February 24, 2022

The Ghost of Kyiv rn: pic.twitter.com/yJofxrEpgK

— ibelikeuh🇺🇦 (@miyathegawd) February 25, 2022

When the Ghost of Kyiv looks on their Twitter: pic.twitter.com/pHDoLGICgH

— Hybrid_b0i (@paulisahybrid16) February 25, 2022

Ghost of Kyiv emerging as an early hero in the fight for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/KzYSOYOI4o

— Stormthief⚡️ (@stormthief_74) February 25, 2022

However, the claims have not been confirmed regarding the pilot's precise kill list or if they truly exist, but many online don't seem to care. As the crisis in Ukraine continues to ensue, it appears that many around the world are using the legend as an inspiration for something positive to post memes about.

I’m begging major media to report on whether “The Ghost of Kyiv” really exists--as if it’s true that today a heroic Ukrainian fighter pilot single-handedly downed 6 Russian jets, this flying ace immediately becomes a stirring symbol of Ukraine’s resistance to Putin’s war crimes. pic.twitter.com/Nmlu68Fknj

— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) February 25, 2022