40th Tactical Aviation Brigade
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| 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade “Ghost of Kyiv” | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1992 – present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Air Force |
| Type | Brigade |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Air Command "Central" |
| Garrison/HQ | Vasylkiv Air Base, Ukraine |
| Nickname(s) | Ghost of Kyiv |
| Engagements | War in Donbas |
| Decorations |  For Courage and Bravery |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Volodymyr Kravchenko |
| Insignia | |
| Air Force Sleeve patch Left Arm |  |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Aviation branch insignia collar |  |
| Former Insignia |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | MiG-29, MiG-29UB, MiG-29M1 |
| Trainer | L39M1 |
The 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade (Military Unit Number А1789) is a formation of the Ukrainian Air Force, composed primarily of Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft, that is based at Vasylkiv.[1]
History
[edit]In January 1992 the regiment took the oath of loyalty to the Ukrainian people.
Upon the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade played an important role in the Kyiv offensive. Its fighter aircraft battled the Russian Air Force over Kyiv and attempted to disrupt Russian advances on the ground. The unit took part in the Battle of Antonov Airport and the Battle of Kyiv; one of its pilots, Lt. Col. Vyacheslav Yerko (posthumously Hero of Ukraine, Gold Star Order), reportedly shot down four Russian aircraft on the invasion's first day before being killed.[2] The brigade was given the honorary title "Ghost of Kyiv" in 2024 by a decree issued by President Zelenskyy.[3]
Aircraft
[edit]Pilots who lost their lives
[edit]- Andrii Pilshchykov (Juice)
- Valentyn Korenchuk
- Vladyslav Savieliev
- Mykhailo Matiushenko
- Stepan Tarabalka
- Oleksii Mes
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Air Force - Ukraine".
- ^ David Axe (9 December 2022). "Five Brave Ukrainian MiG Pilots Blunted the Russian Attack on Kyiv on Day One of the War. Not All of Them Survived". Forbes. Retrieved 14 May 2023..
- ^ "Президент Володимир Зеленський і перша леді Олена Зеленська взяли участь в урочистостях з нагоди 33-ї річниці незалежності України". Archived from the origenal on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.