Unit Name: | 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade “Ghost of Kyiv” |
Dates: | 1992 – present |
Type: | Brigade |
Role: | Fighter |
Command Structure: | Air Command "Central" |
Garrison: | Vasylkiv Air Base, Ukraine |
Nickname: | Ghost of Kyiv |
Battles: | War in Donbas |
Decorations: | For Courage and Bravery |
Commander1: | Colonel Volodymyr Kravchenko |
Identification Symbol Label: | Air Force Sleeve patch Left Arm |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Roundel |
Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Fin flash |
Identification Symbol 4 Label: | Aviation branch insignia collar |
Identification Symbol 5 Label: | Former Insignia |
Aircraft Fighter: | MiG-29, MiG-29UB, MiG-29M1 |
Aircraft 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]
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]