The Ghost Of Kiev (Italian Sonnet) Poem by Gert Strydom

During the Russian war in the Ukraine
from retirement colonel Oleksandr Oksancheko came.
The Americans said his antics was from a game
but the legend of the "Ghost of Kiev" does remain.

The Americans said their "Clear Skies" appertain,
as a stunt-pilot the "Grey Wolf" had his fame.
The spirit to defend the land is the same,
it seems as if Russian pilots fight in vain.

After shooting down seven fighter jets
and a chopper he was a great fighter ace.
A Russian S400 missile shot him down at night
and his antics a great example sets
to Ukrainian pilots to act with heroic grace,
as against overwhelming odds they do fight.

[Poet's Note: The "Grey Wolf" / "Ghost of Kiev" fought with an old Mig-29 Fulcrum as a member of the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade. He was awarded posthumously the title: Hero of the Ukraine by the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.]