Episode 31 of Freedom Flights focuses on the final stages of the rescue mission to Kursk and the ongoing approach to medevac flights. It also hints at a new challenge for the Night Witches.

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 in preparing for just peace.

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

Episode 31 – Headway & Heartbreak

2024

Tuesday, September 3^rd – Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine

As she maneuvered the NH90 Caïman slowly towards the ground, Lieutenant Aline Bonheur confirmed the instructions from Pryluky Central City Hospital with Chief Paramedic Osinniy.

“They’ve cleared us to land in that field?”

“The farmer has approved our landing, and med-staff  should be waiting for us.”

Aline radioed Captain Henrika Visser in the Black Hawk.

“Hotel, instructions confirmed. Land beside Sierra, leaving a safe passage for medics. Over.”

“Understood Sierra. Over and out.”

As soon as they touched down, a team of nurses and doctors assisted the paramedics in unloading their patients. The Senior Doctor talked to Osinniy once they started moving the wounded towards the hospital.

“The details you radioed us have allowed us to prioritise the most critical injuries. I can’t believe some of the wounds. We see some when the city is bombed.”

“These are too typical of what we see from the front. Although, medevac by air is rare.”

The doctor looked surprised.

“This isn’t normal for you?

Osinniy shook her head and glanced back at the helicopters.

“It’s only my second air medevac, although both were with this squadron. I understand they responded to the missile strike on the Kyiv Children’s Hospital.”

“Faster than by road,” said the doctor. “I’ve heard the despicable Russians attack ambulances.”

“They’d probably have attacked us given the chance,” said Osinniy.

“If we didn’t have guardians in the air,” said Aline, helping with a stretcher. “Our attack helicopter had to destroy some drones when we crossed out of Russia.”

The doctor bowed his head in respect.

“So, these brave soldiers fought in Kursk. We’re proud to treat them.”

Osinniy and all the crew ensured every patient was in the best hands. Outside, the sun was setting as they returned to the two helicopters.

“Do you four paramedics need a lift back to Sumy Oblast,” asked Aline. “I can fly you all in Sierra.”

“I’m sure the others do,” said Osinniy. “I have some questions while we’re flying there.”

*

Once Aline and her crew were flying Sierra to Sumy, Osinniy approached them.

“How often does this squadron perform medevac duties?”

Aleks nodded to Cecilija to answer.

“The Black Hawk and another helicopter have responded a few times when requested. We could do more. For instance, normally, we would have responded to the Poltava disaster by offering help.”

“You’d be willing to do more, I suspect. Do you have many medics?”

 “Definitely… especially after these two incidents. We have three medics, although not enough. We now have a military-trained doctor. Are you suggesting something?”

Osinniy looked back at her three colleagues and waved them to the front.

“If we could promote your medevac emergency services, can we join your team, please?”

Cecilija looked at her crewmates.

“I’d say yes,” said Cecilija and Aleks nodded.

“It makes total sense,” said Aline. “However, I’m unsure if the squadron still needs me or if this helicopter needs to return to France. I’d love to stay and hope this NH90 Caïman remains with the Night Witches. Let’s return to Chayka Field and talk to everyone concerned about this offer.”

Aline was about to radio base when she remembered Tiger Bravo, who had agreed to meet halfway to Sumy.

“Sierra to Bravo, we’re returning to base. Over.”

No answer. Aline tried again. Still no answer.

“Sierra to Chayka Field. Has Tiger Bravo returned or reported in? Over”

The crew could hear the Tower checking,

“Chayka Field to Sierra. There is no news on Tiger Bravo. We will keep trying. Over and out.”

Aleks turned to Aline and suggested she radio the Saab 340 AEW&Cs, as one of them would be flying the night patrol.

“Night Wings Sierra to Saab 340. Our Tiger Bravo is not responding to our calls. Has there been an incident involving them?”

“Saab 340 to Sierra. We haven’t been aware of Tiger Bravo since 16.00 when you entered Chernihiv Oblast — possible radio failure. Over.”

“Night Wings Sierra to Saab 340. Agree, so hopefully, Tiger Bravo returns safely. Over and out.”

Osinniy passed her phone to Aleks. There was a short message.

‘Pilot called Polina taken by road to Romny Hospital.’

**

Wednesday, September 4^th – Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia

Lieutenant Mykhail Moroz had been unable to sleep after receiving the anonymous text message.

‘Pilot calling herself Polina taken by road to Romny Hospital.’

He had tried to concentrate on ensuring the 80th Air Assault Brigade had a clear run to Rylsk. But maybe this wounded pilot could be his sister. The message said, ‘The pilot is calling herself Polina’. It was a hoax from the enemy designed to distract him from working to stop them.

So, Mykhail kept his unit moving up the road slowly, checking for mines and roadside devices until they met Lieutenant Lukyan Petrenko and his Special Forces, who had secured the cross-country approaches.

“You took your time, Mykhail,” said his dark-haired friend, whitling a hunk of wood.

“We had to make the road safe for the fast transport.”

“Except our fast friends, like your sultry sister, flew everywhere.”

The mention of his sister triggered a mood swing, driven by the message. He punched the Marder twice and growled.

“ This damn war takes too many… friends… loved ones. Who is safe? Not Poltava beyond the frontlines. Not the brave sisters high above in metal coffins that explode as they plummet earthwards, lost forever, taken from us.”

Then a scream that sounded like ‘Poltava’.

As Mykhail threw himself from the Marder and then clawed at the ground, choking out tears,  Dasha Isakova ran from the crowd to him.

She wrapped her arms around him and then stroked his head, wiping his tears,

“You’re right to scream at this senseless war,” she whispered. “Especially if Polina is dead. But  I don’t believe she is any more than Nadia is.”

She looked up at Lukyan and raised her voice.

 “Lieutenant, please, help me get him inside, wherever he’s billeted.”

“Difficult as his brigade hasn’t been allocated anywhere yet. I can get his sergeant to sort that.”

“Please, do that, Lieutenant, and find someone else to help me carry him upstairs to my room. I can help him there. Call it a Russian’s favour to an invader.”

Surprised, he looked at her and said, “Srazu devushka,” addressing his agreement as if to a young Russian woman.

However, he ordered a soldier to assist Mykhail’s sergeant in finding billets for the soldiers while he helped the young woman.

Upstairs in her room, Lukyan switched back to Ukrainian as they laid Mykhail on the bed. He was still muttering about Polina but not raving. He was just staring at his phone.

“The message was it correct? Is she wounded… even dead? I must find out.”

“No, I will,” said Lukyan, taking the phone. “While you let Dasha calm you down, remember,” he said, grinning, ” no fraternising with Orcs… however cute they are out of uniform.”    

At the door, he turned and blew a kiss, then winked.

Once Lukyan left, Dasha sat beside Mykhail.

“Are you any calmer knowing your friend is checking the message?”

“As long as you’re here… with or without a uniform.” He stroked her blonde hair. “Why did you cut off your beautiful long hair?”

She ran her fingers through his buzz cut.

“To play the part of an Orc. But do I need a uniform or will skin do?”

She undid a button on her blouse.

“You’re trying to distract me, but it won’t work… until I know more about my sister.”

“I’ll wait my turn… like a good Orc.”

*

Lukyan struggled to discover the message’s sender, but he managed to send an emergency request to Chayka Field for an update on Lieutenant Polina Moroz.  He justified the emergency as Mykhail was responsible for a Tank Company within the 80th Air Assault Brigade.

Twenty minutes later, he received a reply from Chayka Field.

“Lieutenant Polina Moroz and Sergeant Marusya Dudziarz returned safely two hours ago after Tiger Bravo suffered from a radio failure due to debris from a destroyed drone. Unfortunately, Master Sergeant Polina Melynk was taken to hospital wounded when her Gripen was hit by enemy fire. Slava Ukraini.”

Relieved but praying for the injured Gripen pilot, Lukyan returned to Mykhail and Dasha, hoping Mykhail hadn’t panicked again.

*

Mykhail was overjoyed that his sister Polina was alive and hugged Dasha. But he bit his lip, shaking.

“Do you know how Polina Melynk is doing? I hardly met her when she landed in Sudzha,” said Mykhail. ”Did either of you meet her at Chayka Field?’

Dasha and Lukyan both shook their heads.

“Even if none of us knew her,” said Lukyan. “Every life is precious, so if she dies after getting our wounded the best medical attention, that’s messed up; it’s one death too many. As you said, brother, ‘this damn war has taken too many.’ We must stop it somehow.”

Dasha pulled both men to her.

“When I find Nadia, we’ll do our bit. Just listen for Les ailes de la Phénix.”

“The wings of the Phoenix,” said Mykhail. “Phénix is Nadia’s codename, Dasha was telling me.” He noticed his friend’s smile. “We’ve been making plans for the future when there’s peace.”

“I better leave you to complete the arrangements tonight, then,” said Lukyan, walking to the door and leaving.

“I’m glad at least one of us has some hot French blood,” said Dasha, removing her blouse, showing how cute she was out of uniform.

“That has to be the best way to commence a passionate night.”

“Especially when our missions wrench us apart in a few hours.”

**

Zvenigora Restaurant, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Sergeant Marusya Dudziarz wondered why her friend and pilot, Polina Moroz, had been called to see the Squadron Leaders again. They’d reported the damaged radio to the Majors, and Repairs were dealing with it and the broken antenna.

“Don’t worry, Marusya,” said Lieutenant Olha Tkachuk. “It can’t be serious, and the medevac meeting is tomorrow. We’re all glad you’re both alive.”

“Totally, it was a relief when you landed,” added Anhelina Tkachuk, who, like her cousin Olha,  had joined the Tiger Bravo pilots for an evening meal.

Quetzal rested her head on Marusya’s lap, her eyes comforting the concerned pilot. Then she looked away to the front of the restaurant, where Polina had returned, and her tail wags increased.

“Somebody senses I shouldn’t be worried about anything,” said Marusya.

“The Majors heard from my brother in Kursk,” said Polina. “Some troublemakers tried to make him think I was critically wounded. He knows the truth now… and Dasha is helping him relax in the best way possible.”

“Trust a French woman to know what’s best,” said Marusya. “Guess he’ll worry about both of you now.”

**

Thursday, September 5^th – Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

After the two Kursk missions, Lieutenant Aline Bonheur prayed this medevac meeting would resolve most of the issues concerning the squadron and her.

She had ensured the two Chayka Majors invited not only the crews of the three Medevac helicopters but also all the medical personnel and the crews of Tiger Bravo and Ruby Flight.

Kalyna Chayka opened the meeting by thanking all 22 participants for attending the 0700 meeting.

“We all have other duties to attend to later, but today, we must decide the future of our medevac service, which has been driven by events up until now.” She paused and then continued.

“First though, Master Sergeant Polina Melynk of Ruby Flight.  You will be pleased to hear she has woken from the coma caused when she crash-landed her Gripen in a field. However, the crash also left her with severe injuries. Romny Hospital can treat the most critical wounds, but for ongoing treatment, she needs to be moved to a dedicated facility in the West. Chief Paramedic Osinniy, this brings us to a crucial issue you raised with the recent Medevac personnel. Safe transportation of patients.”

Osinniy glanced around the room.

“For those who don’t know me, until recently, I was a senior paramedic with Hospitallers treating injured on the frontline and assisted in this squadron’s two medevac flights from Kursk. Until then, the wounded I helped were transported by road in any vehicles that could be ambulances. However, ambulances, even clearly marked as such, were frequently targeted by the Russians, flouting any semblance of humanity. There aren’t the military units to protect us, understandably. I also realise flying every wounded soldier out is impractical and risky, but sometimes lives can be saved.”

On cue, Ruslan Medved wheeled in Albina Koval from a side room and then let her speak.

“We were both wounded in Kursk and flown out to Sumy.  Ruslan, with a non-critical wound, was taken in a Hospitaller bus to Poltava, while I was flown and treated in time by Osinniy, with blood donated by Cecilija. Over the two Kursk medevacs, 40 severely wounded soldiers were speedily transported to hospital. How many lived, Osinniy?”   

“I’d like to say everyone,” said the paramedic. “The truth is all survived evacuation, even though some had lost limbs and all face long rehabilitation time. Sadly, four didn’t recover from their injuries after they reached the hospitals. However, by road, the chances of complications arising over the longer journey are far greater, placing a tougher burden on hospital staff. Is this squadron willing to offer a regular medevac service? My three colleagues beside me are willing to work with me to help you all in making this service  available and effective.”

Everyone agreed and started making suggestions.

Aline was relieved that the plans for a regular Medevac service were well received, but there were still issues to address.

“I agree that with three medevac helicopters, we could evacuate twenty-six patients from a stabilisation point: six each in the Griffon and the Black Hawk, fourteen in the modified NH90 Caïman. However, is the NH90 Caïman still the property of the 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment of the French Army Light Aviation, or is it on loan to the Ukrainian Air Force until the end of the war?”

Vasy handed Kalyna a sheet of paper.

“This confirms the NH90 Caïman is for the use of this squadron as long as it’s needed, as is Lieutenant Aline Bonheur.”

“Which was part of my crewing question,” said Aline. “Also, I’m aware my two crewmates were originally assigned to other helicopters. Kapitan Aleks Górski to Alfa Tiger and Lieutenant Cecilija Lusk to Black Hawk Hotel. Personally, I would ask them to remain with Sierra, please.”

“I would be honoured to serve with you again,” said Aleks. “Nadia would want me to take her seat until she returns. By then,  Alfa Tiger might have a new crew.”

“My answer depends on whether Black Hawk can find a replacement,” said Cecilija. “Are there new recruits due?”

“There might be more,” said Kalyna. “We certainly need a few so we’ll enquire. Meanwhile, Private Odrija Kalniņa is available as the Puszczyk is seldom required.”

“We would be pleased to welcome her aboard,” said Captain Henrika Visser. “If she is okay being a Chief and Gunner.”

With the three crews sorted, the majors moved on.

“Except in exceptional circumstances, we would be more effective evacuating the critically wounded from stabilisation points rather than from frontline areas such as Kursk. Osinniy, please explain the value we can bring.”

“The stabilisation points are invaluable for medics like our former colleagues with Hospitallers or those from similar groups like MOAS and the Awangarda volunteers. Once these brave medics extract the wounded from the battle, they bring them to stabilisation points within the so-called golden hour when the likelihood of medical and surgical intervention preventing death is highest. Doctors and paramedics attempt to keep the patients alive long enough for them to reach a hospital, racing at 130 kilometres per hour by road. As these journeys can be long and dangerous, we believe if we cooperate with these groups, some of the most critical patients could be flown from these points and get hospital treatment faster.”

Vasy nodded.

“Our last evacuation also proved the value of an armed escort. However, are Tigers or Gripens best for this role?

“Although Tiger Bravo’s radio was damaged,” said Lieutenant Polina Moroz. “We were able to destroy the drones chasing the medevacs by keeping pace with the copters. Three or four Tigers would be the best escort.”

“Our experience with four Gripens provided us with a challenge,” said Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko. “When Russian Sukhoi Su-30SMs threatened Sudzha and the departing medevacs, we intercepted and downed one Su-30SM. Unfortunately, Polina Melynk was hit by a drone in Ukraine airspace. Although we are faster than the medevacs, a Gripen Flight  adds an extra layer of air cover.”

Kalyna and Vasy recognised the agreement among all the participants.

“We can build on everything discussed if the key personnel liaise with each other and us, as well as their teams,” said Kalyna. Vasy and I will coordinate and produce a workable strategy.”

Suddenly, the duty code talker, Nauja Tall Gull, ran in clutching a decoded message she handed to the Majors, who studied it.

“It’s from Maksym Bondarenko. He needs Aline Bonheur to go to Dęblin ASAP,” said Kalyna. “A special group from overseas flew into the base and requested a meeting with Lieutenant Bonheur and Kapitan Lysenko, unaware Nadia was MIA.”

MPA 2,919 Words

Slava Ukraini

Despite Challenges, Ukraine’s Combat Medics Notch Lifesaving Breakthroughs: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-combat-medics-life-saving-breakthroughs/32695540.html

MOAS Saves Lives on the Frontline in Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOUoe_0_pQY&rco=1

MOAS:      Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS)

https://www.hospitallers.org.uk/

https://www.hospitallers.life/