This is Episode 29 of Freedom Flights. This episode continues with events that began in the last episode, the first engagements with F-16s and the consequences.

Since the Kursk is ongoing, I must return to Kursk not least to resolve the MIA character. However, the Witches will be able to use other NATO jets in their arsenal, and there are injuries to address.

Until a just peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, never forgetting the brave people fighting for freedom. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons like F-16s continue to reach the frontlines and in time to change their fortunes.

Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page via the left-hand sidebar.

Episode 29 – Changed Fortunes

2024

Wednesday, August 7^th – Staging ground, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine

Lieutenant Aline Bonheur had mixed feelings as she landed Sierra back in Ukraine. The twenty severely wounded patients needed urgent treatment, more than the staging area paramedics could give immediately. Yet they could do something while the NH90 Caïman was being refuelled for the flight to a fully equipped hospital.

As soon as she touched down, Lieutenant Cecilija Lusk opened the sliding doors to allow the volunteer Hospitallers paramedic team on board to treat everyone they could. Aline jumped out to talk to the area’s female commanding officer, saluting first.

“Morning, Major. I know the paramedics must determine the severity first, but is any facility already expecting these injured soldiers?”

“Poltava Regional Hospital is alerted to your medevac flight. First, these Hospitallers medical battalion paramedics will assess whether anyone can be treated here. Second, they intend to send two paramedics with equipment on your helicopter to continue treatment during the flight.”

“That would be invaluable, although I’ve already abandoned my co-pilot in Kursk so all twenty patients could be evacuated. We could remove our miniguns, but weight could still be an issue.”

Cecilija came over as Aline was discussing this issue with the commander.

“I’ve just said that to the lead paramedic. He’s saying two soldiers can be treated at the field hospital here, and another couple, including Ruslan, would be okay to travel in their ambulance to Poltava. That would resolve the weight problem.” Cecilija hesitated and then continued, “What’s happening to rescue Nadia… our sister pilot?”

“I’m waiting for orders,” said the commander. “There will be vehicles coming back from Kursk, but you are the first. I’m sure your friend will get back. Safe flight to Poltava. At least it’s away from the front.”  

With four fewer patients and the miniguns removed, the necessary medical equipment for the remainder of the patients was installed. Two paramedics remained in Sierra to monitor the sixteen most injured soldiers including Albina. She had agreed her Alligator would be safe with the commander in Sumy.

When the NH90 took off, Cecilija sat beside Aline, checking instruments but aware of whose seat she was in.

“When will Nadia get back, or should we go back for her?”

“I know how resourceful Nadia is. She’ll be back.”

One of the paramedics, Osinniy, heard the exchange.

“Some of the soldiers knew her and were grateful for her decision to stay. As one of our colleagues said, ‘We treat every life with dignity. Every person matters to us.’ It must have done to her.”

Aline nodded. “Something like that, Nadia and I learnt a great deal about mutual support from the French special forces we flew into war zones. Nadia is a survivor.”

As Osinniy left to check on a patient, Cecilija asked Aline about their friend.

“Didn’t she get the French call sign ‘Phénix’ from them?” asked Cecilija.

“Yes, while working for a security company created by ex-special forces. They had a reason for giving her that. The Phoenix is reborn from the flames.”

Although they still worried about the injured soldiers, the paramedics and their medical equipment reduced the sense of inadequacy flying out of Russia. Their skill might ensure their patients would reach the hospital in time.

Osinniy rushed up.

“Cecilija, do you know your blood type? There’s a patient losing blood too fast.”

“O-negative, rare, but I’m always encouraged to donate and do willingly.”

Osinniy took her hand and led her down the line of stretchers as she talked.

“O-negative is one of the invaluable types of blood and rarest. Your red blood cells can be transfused into people with any blood type. Like this soldier.”

“Albina!” said Cecilija, looking down at the sniper. “Is it really bad?”

“It was until you offered your blood. She’s A-negative but lost blood over time from wounds up her left side.” Osinniy was attaching tubes for a direct transfer as she talked. “They looked like a machine gun burst from the rear.”

“She’s a sniper who defended our landing site until a drone spotted her. We used a capture-drone to disable it, but the Russians pursued her, shooting as she tried to reach us. A fellow special forces guy lifted her into here.”

“And the enemy?”

Cecilija hesitated before saying, “We took off and… I had to strafe them.”

Osinniy nodded. “If you hadn’t, they would have shot this helicopter down. Then these soldiers would have been left dying in Russia.”

“I’ve worried about these guys since we left, as my basic training in Canada had minimal medical elements. If anyone needed your expertise, I’d have been useless.”

“Except you got them to Sumy safely, so not useless. Now, your blood is saving a life. Call me over when you need to stop for any reason.”

**

Wednesday, August 7^th – Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Lieutenant Tamila Medved entered the Squadron Command Centre wondering what the Chayka majors needed to see her about. She had tried not to worry about her brother Ruslan, having discovered he was in the Special Forces and then hearing about the Kursk Incursion. He must have been involved.

“Take a seat, Tamila,” said Kalyna. “Please don’t look so upset. Ruslan is back in Ukraine and wants to talk to you shortly. I guess you suspect where he was, but be aware aspects are still secret, so don’t expect him to say everything now.”

“We also think you’ll want to see him,” added Vasy. “You may take a few days to do that whenever you need to go.”

Tamila was about to ask where he was when the Centre’s phone rang. Kalyna answered it and then passed it to Tamila. Kalyna and Vasy left the room.

“Ruslan, is that you?”

The line was relatively clear.

“Yes, Tamila. You guessed where I went… but I can say Kursk but little else, I believe.”

She was afraid to ask, but she had to.

“Were you wounded… badly?”

“Not as badly as others. I’m in hospital… in Poltava. You can visit me, please. I need to see Aleks Górski as well.”

Tamila guessed the worst but again had to ask.

“Nadia’s dead like Aleks dreamt?”

“No. She stayed in Ukraine because there were twenty guys badly wounded. She gave up her seat in Sierra. But she’s safe with Lukyan Petrenko, my Lieutenant… oh, and Lieutenant Mykhail Moroz, Polina’s brother. Tell her he’s safe in one of our best tanks.”

“I’ll reassure Aleks and bring her with me as soon as we can get away. I’ll tell Polina her brother is safe. Stay strong, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Look forward to it.”

Tamila realised she was shaking when the call ended and the Chayka cousins returned.

“Do you know what happened? Kalyna? Vasy? Have you heard about Nadia?

*

Tamila found Aleks in the canteen and Polina with some of the other Tiger pilots beside her. Should she talk to Nadia’s best friend first? But she didn’t get that option.

“Your face doesn’t read well,” said Aleks. “If it’s bad news, we all need to know, please.”

She sat next to her, struggling to find the best words.

“I’ve just talked with my brother Ruslan. He was wounded in Kursk and flown to Poltava-”

“By Nadia? No, she’s dead,” said Aleks. “I know she is.”

Polina put an arm around her as Tamila tried to reassure her.

“Nadia’s still in Kursk and alive. Aline flew twenty wounded out, and Nadia gave up her seat. She’s safe and with Lukyan Petrenko and the other Special Forces.”

There was silence and relief… for a moment.

“So not all the wounded were in your brother’s unit,” said Marusya Dudziarz. “Who were the other guys wounded?”

“I presume from one of the other frontline units in Kursk. Ruslan mentioned your brother Mykhail was there, Polina. A lieutenant in one of the best tanks.”

“Trust my brother to be among the first into Russia in a tank,” said Polina, and then closed her eyes, putting a hand to her face.

“Do we know if there’s a plan to get Nadia out?” asked Aleks. “She’s a pilot, not a soldier.”

“The majors didn’t mention one. But they did say I could see my brother. Maybe we need to find out what’s happening to Nadia.”

**

Monday, August 12th – Poltava Regional Hospital, Poltava Oblast, Ukraine

Ruslan was surprised when his sister Tamila appeared with Aleks and three other Night Witches.

“How did five of you get time off to visit me?” he asked as she gently hugged him.

“Us, kohanyj,” said Albina, driving up behind him in her wheelchair. “Not that I know them all.”

“I know them all, kohana, in time you will.”

“Good to see you both up and outside,” said Cecilija. “Do your doctors know you’re both here?”

“Special privileges for special forces,” said Ruslan. “Which must be why you’re all here.”

“We’re desperate to find Nadia,” said Aleks. “Aline last saw her with Lukyan and Mykhail, but she’s not with Special Forces or with the 80th Air Assault Brigade, according to what we can ascertain. I pray she’s not dead.”

Ruslan shook his head and leant into Albina’s good shoulder.

“We hear nothing in here and wouldn’t know what to suggest… other than fly back in.”

“We’ve all been flying every mission we can,” said Aline. “We needed to earn time off to plan just that, but nobody will authorise a risky mission to rescue one pilot, who some class as MIA… sorry Aleks, I know that doesn’t help.”

“What about approaching more senior officers in Special Forces?” asked Tamila. “You must know somebody, brother.”

“Lukyan was the most senior I knew. It’s a crazy idea, but didn’t Nadia have unusual contacts?”

Aleks and Aline both nodded.

“That isn’t crazy,” said Aline. “I suggest Ruslan and Tamila catch up while the rest of us work this idea through.”

“I’d like to chat with Polina about her brother as he talked about the importance of family to a group of us,” said Albina.  

Once the others moved away, Tamila took her brother’s uninjured hand.

“You implied you weren’t as badly injured as others. You’re not in a wheelchair like Albina, but don’t look ready to return to the front. When are they planning to release you?”

“Soon, a few weeks, less, I hope. But if you’re worried that I’m going to go straight back. I’m not… not immediately. But they’ll need me… and Albina.”

She studied his facial expressions.

“You’re a couple, aren’t you? Since when.”

He grinned. “A while. But being here awakened our passion. When we go back to the front, it will be together.”

Albina wheeled herself towards them.

“Polina went to talk to her sisters. Have you discussed our idea with Tamila?”

He shook his head, “It was your idea after being stuck with ‘brothers in arms’. Albina wondered about recuperating at Chayka Field. However, I said you might have no doctor, only paramedics.”

“True, but we are about to recruit an experienced doctor. Plus, having my brother watching my back would be great.”

“And telling your friends what you got up to as a  kid.”

“What we got up to.”

**

 Tuesday, August 27^th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

The returning Night Witch crews of the four active MiG-29 flights and the five Tiger helicopters crowded into the Zvenigora Restaurant, which had been re-arranged to cater for an unusual squadron debrief. Chief Mechanics and Warrant Officers slipped into the room as their aircraft were settled in for the daily repairs and maintenance.

The two Chayka Majors each took a microphone at the far end of the cavernous restaurant.

“We are holding this squadron debrief in here with you all, as yesterday could have been a nightmare for Ukraine, but you all helped impede what Russia intended,” said Kalyna. “The enemy launched the largest ever concentrated missile and drone attacks against 15 regions over eight hours.  They failed to force us to yield. Lives were lost, and buildings were devastated, but the Ukrainian spirit remains unbroken. We will shortly debrief you, but first, the key role played by Ukraine’s F-16s and what it means for us.”

Cheers and shouts of ‘Slava Ukrayini’ erupted and gradually subsided.

“Yesterday saw the first use of Ukraine’s F-16s, defending our motherland,” said Vasy.  “It was also a vital day for us as this allows ACW to agree that we Witches can use our Hornets & Gripens. Three weeks ago, Kalyna and I met with Colonel Maksym Bondarenko from ACW and Colonel Alfhild Falkborg of the Swedish Airforce to develop a new Gripen training programme. Our role will now grow, especially if Sweden sends more Gripen Es. However, our Swedish friend can describe what the current situation is.”

Alfhild joined the Chayka cousins amid cheers for one of the squadron’s staunchest advocates. Vasy passed her a microphone.

“This week from Dęblin, we had our 17^th Night Witch fly with our Swedish trainers in one of the Gripen F two-seaters protecting the Saab 340 AEW&Cs.” Clapping and cheering made her pause. “Four of you have been able to get enough extra flights in the two Gripen Fs to prove to the trainers you can fly a Gripen E solo. The requirement of 50 hours of Conversion Training, focusing on the new systems and capabilities of the E model compared to the C, included simulator time.”

She paused to allow one of the four pilots, Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko, to ask a question.

“We still need Combat Readiness Training to master the fighter’s combat capabilities and weapons. How long before we are ready to operate in Ukraine?”

Alfhild nodded and then looked at the Majors before replying.

“Normally, 25 flights in about nine weeks. However, aware of the urgency of the war, Major Ottillia Elmersson and Kapten Pernilla Eklund have been integrating some of the combat readiness in the Conversion Training. We believe in three weeks, given your combat experience, you four will be combat ready. I just need to persuade Saab we must have two more Gripen Es.”

She handed the microphone back to Vasy.

 “We are down to four flights due to the tragic loss of two of our sister pilots, Sergeant Taisia Kovalchuk and Private Halyna Boyka, and the serious injury to Lieutenant Olha Tkachuk, who has vowed to return. We have enough Gripens in Dęblin to equip two flights, three with two more Es. Kalyna, Alfhild and I will discuss allocating the jets and equipping four flights. Perhaps we can aim for four flights with leaders in Gripen Es and the rest in Cs.”

Vasy nodded to her cousin to continue.

“We will now debrief just the flight leaders and their Chief Mechanics, plus the Senior Tiger officer Kapitan Aleks Górski, in the Squadron Command Centre. If anyone else has anything to add, please join us.”

*

Canteen, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Ruslan Medved and his sister Tamila were waiting with Aline Bonheur, Cecilija Lusk and Albina Koval for news from Aleks. She had been attempting to contact Zoo Sécurité with help from the squadron commanders.

When Aleks finally appeared with Polina, she appeared less miserable.

“They had news for once. Two guys are arriving today from Poland.” She checked her phone. “Sacha Proulx and Dasha Isakova. One’s some sort of agent, and the other is the doctor we requested.”

“How are they arriving?” asked Ruslan. “And do we know which is the doctor?”

“Nothing useful. Just a cryptic message in Polish,” said Aleks. “From their contact, perhaps.”

Polina was studying a printout of the original message she obtained from Vasy.

“My Polish improved when we were at Dęblin, and my guess is both guys are female to fit in here. Sacha is a French doctor, while Dasha is a Russian agent.”

“Well, we’ll soon know if you’re right,” said Aleks. “Vasy just messaged they’ve arrived, and she’ll bring them here before offering the tour.”

It wasn’t long before Vasy arrived with two athletic women in uniforms, one dark-haired and taller than her long-haired blonde companion.

“Please meet Doctor Sacha Proulx,” Vasy gestured to the brunette, “and 2^nd Lieutenant Dasha Isakova. They have been assigned to us by the French Army Light Aviation, although, like Kapitan Nadia Lysenko, they also assist Zoo Sécurité. Accommodation is being arranged. Meanwhile, introduce yourselves, I must return to the strategy meeting in the Squadron Command Centre.”

Aleks introduced herself, mentioning Nadia, before introducing the others to Sacha and Dasha.

Tamila offered to fetch food and drink for them after their journey from Poland.

“How long were you travelling?” asked Cecilija .

“We left France yesterday after we were briefed,” said Dasha. “Our flight to Lublin via Kraków was a few hours longer than the minibus trip here, so thirteen hours. But we did sleep.”

“Unlike you, Aline,” said Ruslan. “She flew herself… the whole way in a helicopter.”

“Not quite,” she replied. “I slept while the NH90 Caïman was changed from French to Ukrainian insignia and being refuelled. Enough sleep for a French pilot.”

They all laughed.

When Sacha enquired about the injuries Albina and Ruslan had sustained, Dasha talked to Aleks, Aline and Cecilija about the disappearance of Nadia.

“Aline, when you piloted the NH90 Caïman out of Kursk, Nadia chose to stay. Correct?”

“Yes, to allow the twenty wounded soldiers to leave safely,” said Aline. “Cecilija and I attempted to change her mind.”

“There had to be an alternative,” added Cecilija. “If only I’d suggested removing the minigun mounts but not the guns. We could have even left one gun. Except Nadia closed the open door.”

Dasha nodded her head.

“She was thinking like a Zoo. The mission before oneself. And there were others there to fight alongside. Yet she’s MIA. Does anyone know how?

“She’s not with the Special Forces she flew in,” replied Aleks.

“Nor with the 80th Air Assault Brigade who joined them,” added Aline. “That was all we could establish, although communication is restricted. We pray she’s still alive.”

Dasha produced a detailed map of the Kursk Oblast with the Sumy frontline and Sudzha marked.

“Where are those units meant to be now?”

“Rylsk,” said Aleks as she studied the map. “Here, but the front keeps moving now the Russians are counterattacking. What are you planning?”

“Twelve days ago, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said your military was setting up a command office in Sudzha. If I can get there with your help, I will locate Nadia wherever she’s gone. I don’t feel she’s MIA.”

“What about dead?” asked Aleks. “She promised to return.”

“Phénix is a survivor,” said Dasha. “She always comes back.”

**

Slava Ukrayini

MPA 3,110 words

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