A fighter pilot from Ukraine becomes a star in the war with Russia

Created: 12/19/2022 3:23 p.m

By: Caspar Felix Hoffmann

The Ukrainian fighter pilot Vadym Voroshilov has to save himself with the ejection seat.

The 27-year-old takes a selfie while still in the air.

The photo goes viral.

Kyiv/Frankfurt – Major Wadym Voroshilov, known by his call sign Karaya, was probably the most famous fighter pilot in the Ukrainian Air Force: he regularly posts photos and GoPro footage from the Ukraine war on his Instagram account for 156,000 followers.

Although some of his pictures have already garnered a lot of attention, Karaya's most recent selfie went viral: In October, the Ukrainian fighter pilot had to eject from his MiG-29 fighter jet, which was hit by the Russians.

Still floating on the parachute towards the ground, the 27-year-old, who was bleeding from a head wound, took a selfie.

The mural “Ghost of Kyiv” in Kyiv is dedicated to Ukrainian fighter pilots.

© Oleksii Chumachenko/Imago

Ukraine war: Selenskyj honors fighter pilot Voroshilov as "Hero of Ukraine".

The incident happened on October 12, but became public only on December 6, the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, when Voroshilov posted the photo on Instagram.

Previously, Voroshilov received the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Voroshilov was awarded the award "for personal courage and heroism in protecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for selfless service to the Ukrainian people."

The Ukraine War in Pictures - Destruction, Resistance and Hope

View photo gallery

Ukraine: Fighter pilot Voroshilov takes a selfie of his blood-smeared face

"Karaya" earned a reputation as a drone killer after shooting down five suicide drones made by Iranian manufacturer Shahed during a massive wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities and power plants in October.

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However, the wreckage of a downed drone caught the cockpit of the MiG-29 on October 12.

Debris cut into the 27-year-old's cheek and neck.

According to an investigation report, the pilot steered the MiG-29 fighter jet into a field and then managed to reach the slingshot lever.

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