Zelensky Awards Hero of Ukraine Title to Fallen ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ MiG-29 Pilot

President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to Marat Mambetov, a 25-year-old MiG-29 pilot killed in combat after his fighter was struck by a Russian missile. Under a presidential decree signed Tuesday, Oct. 6, Mambetov was awarded Ukraine’s highest state title together with the Order of the Golden Star.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “For personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for selfless service to the Ukrainian people,” the decree said, Mambetov was awarded the title posthumously. Mambetov was a flight commander with Ukraine’s 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, known as the “Ghost of Kyiv,” and was a Crimean Tatar from the Melitopol area, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Despite being only 25, he had completed around 200 combat sorties in a MiG-29, destroyed dozens of Russian aerial targets, carried out missile and bomb strikes against Russian positions and provided air cover for Ukrainian Ground Forces. During his service, he had already received Ukraine’s Orders for Courage, second and third classes. Mambetov was killed on Oct. 1 while carrying out another combat mission against Russian forces. According to the Air Force, he had successfully struck Russian positions when his MiG-29 was hit by a Russian missile. Mambetov managed to eject but suffered injuries incompatible with life. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Rejects Permanent EU Limits on Its Farm Exports After Accession Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi said Kyiv will accept transition periods, but only if it comes with an end date, as Brussels seeks to protect farmers already in the EU. “He defended Ukraine until his last breath,” the Air Force said when announcing his death. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.