Episode 48 of Freedom Flights is set in August 2025. Some events foreshadowed in this episode will take a few months to play out, while others may be resolved in the next episode. Some like the Alaska meeting between Trump & Putin are still making headlines. I have also continued to try writing each scene in 3rd-person limited POV.
I’m trying to foreshadow future incidents without making my characters react as if they know what will happen later in 2025… although they might fear what could happen. Also, I want each episode to focus on just a few RL incidents from a specific month, along with character and squadron development.
Therefore, until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is achieved and rebuilding begins, I will continue writing more episodes. Perhaps after that, I can finish writing the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and Chayka Air, their aviation business based in Canada.
We must never forget the brave people fighting for freedom, with too many losing their lives. Let’s pray Western aid and weapons continue to reach Ukraine, despite unexpected interruptions. Assistance must arrive on time to change their fortunes and prepare for the genuine peace that must come soon.
Links to the previous episodes can be found on my Freedom Flights page via the left-hand sidebar.
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Episode 48. Illegal Land Swaps.
2025
Sunday, August 3rd – Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Glancing around, Adelita Palomo realised she was arriving early with Joëlle Vanaga, her co-pilot, at the Zvenigora for the special gathering.
Agnieszka Shevchuk greeted them and led them to the long table at the back.
“Good to see you, Adelita. Must have been at least 6 months since you flew to Ukraine. Hope my niece is keeping up the family tradition.”
“Mariyka and Sergei look after the Witches at Chayka Field in true Zvenigora style. It’s good, though, to be back here… and see new faces.”
“It’s amazing how quickly the University’s new cadets make this home. However, your squadron is the other regular client… especially tonight. As the first to arrive, you can choose your seats. Just leave the head.
As they sat, two more guests joined them…. the journalists, Jane Wetherby and Carita Forsström.
“We thought we’d be the last,” said Jane, choosing two chairs opposite, as Carita added, “The train from Warsaw was held up by some terrorist scare.”
“Were you both covering Friday’s UN meeting in New York?” asked Joëlle.
“That’s where we met up,” replied Jane. “Then together we flew into Warsaw Chopin Airport overnight.”
The other participants began to arrive. With so many cadets and recruits in the restaurant, the arrival of Commandant Raphaëlle Balode and other officers prompted many of the younger and newer students to leap to attention and salute.
“We appreciate the display of respect,” said Raphaëlle. “But we’re all off duty this evening, so sit back down and enjoy your meal.”
Once the Witches were seated and had ordered food, Raphaëlle glanced around the group, then invited Jane to report on the U.N. meeting.
“As we all expected, Ukraine called for an unconditional ceasefire to save the lives of civilians and the nation’s sovereignty. However, although most of the Council members deplored the growing violence, and the US, plus our European allies, pushed for a binding resolution that both sides end the conflict and a ceasefire be decreed by August 8th—”
“The undisputed aggressor’s delegates blocked the attempt,” added Carita. “They shifted the blame onto Ukraine, claiming Russia was fighting a war of national defence against us.”
“Demonstrating the flaw in trying to resolve a war when a permanent member is directly involved,” said Lidka Andrysiak. “And my own country… If I’m still a US citizen… is also a permanent member, but stands alongside Ukraine, for now.”
“When the same afternoon, Trump says he ordered ‘nuclear subs to be positioned in the appropriate regions’, after he’s provoked,” added her partner, Natalie Kuzmenko. “That’s provocation, not diplomacy. I wonder if he wants peace or a business deal?”
Mutterings of ‘dollars’, ‘resources’ and ‘art of the deal’ echoed around the table.
Raphaëlle agreed but needed to change emphasis.
“We can’t influence negotiations, although as a unique squadron of various nationalities, we can persuade others in our countries to support our fight.”
“As Conchita’s husband does,” said Adelita. “Although, as a journalist, he has the means. But we have a story to share, too.”
“And as fellow reporters, Jane and I can make suggestions,” said Carita.
Raphaëlle realised where this could lead.
“What we’re creating here is worth talking about… with care. Your effort goes to provide the means to stay ahead of Russia. Innovations that will need foreign investors to develop for use beyond this war.”
“Like the investor I talked with at the ‘Land of Engineers’ meeting in Uzhhorod yesterday,” said Cateline Ivanova. “He was interested in the Tryzub 90 trials and further developments.”
**
Sunday, August 10th – Revetments, Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Chief maintainer Adjudant Léana Melnik and her diverse team of Québécois, French, Polish and Ukrainian mechanics were servicing the jets that had returned from their morning exercise.
Despite their different languages, they had found a way to communicate in pidgin Ukrainian, using words from their own languages and gestures. Except where a single language could be spoken, this had become the norm within the squadron.
Léana noticed that Dasha Isakova was understanding as they worked on the liberated Sukhoi Su-30SM.
“Are we bastardising Ukrainian or inventing a new language?” asked Léana. “At least my Quebec French evolved alongside your French.”
“Somewhat like the Ukrainian spoken by some of your Canadian colleagues,” replied Dasha, noticing the arrival of the Echeverría twins. “I expect our Colombian sisters speak a variation of Spanish… if we ask them.”
When Tamya and Killa were in earshot, Léana asked them.
“Is Colombian Spanish easily understood by Spaniards?”
The twins chuckled.
“Depends on which dialect,’ replied Tamya. “Some say Colombia has eleven.”
“So, not all of us speak the same way,” added Killa. “We speak the Paisa dialect, which is spoken in the Colombian coffee production areas.”
“Some say it’s an archaic form of Castilian Spanish, so more Spaniards can comprehend us,” said Tamya. “The six in the squadron all understand our dialect well.”
Léana gestured to the other mechanics, indicating a mug and saying, “café”. Ready for a break, the group headed off to the canteen, joined by Tamya’s friend Illya Borysov and Killa’s partner, Alojzy Ryba, with his daughter Dżesika.
*
When Léana heard the twins talking Spanish to their three Polish friends, she turned to Dasha.
“I’m impressed that those Poles understand and speak Spanish. Have any of our hosts tried to force their language on us?”
“Not in our squadron, but I have heard of some international brigades having problems,” replied Dasha. “Not all of them. But some Ukrainians treat them with disdain, accusing them of fighting for the money. Calling them mercenaries, not fighters for freedom.”
“I’ve even heard a few called intruders,” said Léana. “Yet they’re here fighting for Ukraine, and the people are grateful if the intentions are genuine.”
Dasha asked the group a question.
“Have any of you been discriminated against for fighting on behalf of Ukraine?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Only by the Russians,” said Adelita, coming into the canteen for Dasha’s question. “I presume you don’t mean Russians who are working with us.”
She earned laughter and a round of applause.
“Raphaëlle Balode asked me to gauge your reaction to Trump’s suggestion that a potential peace deal could involve ‘some swapping of territories’. Do you agree Zelenskyy was right to reject Trump’s territory-swap peace deal with Russia?”
The vocal response was clearly in favour of Zelenskyy’s response.
“Ukraine will never give up its land,” said a Ukrainian maintainer. “Not when so many people have sacrificed their lives for it. And the Donbas has some of our most valuable fortress cities.”
“As one of Ukraine’s neighbours, I believe we all must do everything we can to help those fighting for freedom,” said Alojzy Ryba. Especially those with the power to act like President Trump. He could make Putin pay severe financial penalties for his illegal war, with secondary sanctions and by seizing Russia’s $5 billion assets at the Federal Reserve and send that to Ukraine. That wouldn’t even cost U.S. taxpayers anything.”
“Yet while foreign fighters join the struggle for no gain other than integrity,” said Killa. “Trump’s treating this as a business opportunity.”
“If he really cared about the dead, injured, and dying,” added Tamya. “He could do more. How much longer will he waver, letting Putin devastate Ukraine?”
Léana feared the Colombian pilots were correct.
“That’s probably why Zelensky has dismissed the scheduled Trump-Putin summit on August 15th in Alaska,” she concluded. “He rightly believes the talks must include Kyiv. Otherwise, any decisions will never work.”
**
Thursday, August 21st – Mukachevo, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine
Sergeant Corynn Amsel and the SARM 2 team watched the dark smoke clear from the Flextronics factory as the firefighters finished extinguishing the flames from the Russian missile attack.
“Let’s finish the search for survivors,” said Corynn, as a fire officer waved them forward. “I’m hoping the fire crews got everyone out who was threatened by the blaze.”
“Not easy given this factory’s size,” added Daniela Stasiuk, as her Dutch Shepherd, Rihi, began to search. “This US firm supposedly employs thousands.”
“Luckily, SARM 1 are starting further around the building,” said Aitana Salcedo, SARM 2’s medic. “And if there are serious injuries, Golf Griffin stayed to medevac them out.”
Corynn’s GSP, Rikke, and Daniella’s Rihi scoured the wrecked storage facility for access points. The ground was scattered with debris, but fortunately, every K9 now had protective boots. They soon found a safe entrance, so the team began their steady interior sweep.
A few hours later, the two teams had loaded three injured survivors onto the Griffon for medevac to the nearest hospital. Corynn and SARM 1’s leader, Aldona Jagoda, reported to the senior State Emergency Service officer and to Zakarpattia Oblast’s governor, Myroslav Biletskyi.
“Our medics were able to assist the SES medics with some of the injured. We’re flying the three most serious out for treatment.”
“I’m relieved that remarkably there were only fifteen injured,” said the SES officer, shaking his head. “And nobody from such a large workforce was killed. I suspect the Russians knew this was an American-owned manufacturer.”
“Which they’ll claim was a justified military target,” added Aldona.
“Except the plant was producing consumer electronics,” said the governor.
**
Thursday, August 28th – Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Just after midnight, Majors Kalyna & Vasy Chayka had scrambled sixteen fighter jets to join the squadrons tackling the drones targeting the far-western regions of Ukraine, including Ternopil, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts.
“It’s going to be a long night,” said Vasy. “The Russians are sending wave after wave mixed with decoys.”
Captains Nadia Lysenko and Conchita Garcia had divided the helicopter battalion to assist the jets and respond to SAR emergencies, primarily in Kyiv.
“Our three Tigers are already assisting the three MiG-29 flights,” said Nadia. “Let’s hope our mobile maintainer teams can keep everything refuelled and rearmed.”
“Is the laser-armed KAI LAH-1 Miron helping?” asked Kalyna. “Presumably, you dispatched the Griffon and the Black Hawk to Kyiv.”
“The Miron is assisting Red Flight’s two F-16s in this sector,” replied Conchita. “We also asked Dęblin to send Sierra, their NH90, to Kyiv-”
“-Where this massive attack is centred,” said Kalyna. “Green Flight has already reported that their four Mirages are encountering drones and missiles. It’s the civilian being ruthlessly targeted, as usual.”
*
Darnytskyi Oblast, Kyiv, Ukraine
Havryil Tkachenko had never seen such devastation so close to home. Kyiv was being turned into rubble night by night. Tonight, there were hundreds of rescuers attempting to find survivors beneath the remains of a five-storey residential building. A direct hit had brought down all five levels of flats.
At least Havryil and his Springer Spaniel, Zorro, were part of a professional team within the massive rescue operation. SARM 4 and their Night Owl colleagues were methodical in their approach, backed up by a skilful support crew.
Zorro edged through a narrow gap in the rubble, which Isla Clacher’s German Shepherd, Kenina, had indicated, but was too large to investigate. When Zorro stopped and barked, Havryil waved over the rescuers to remove the debris.
“My K9 is behaving as if we have another survivor.”
However, a crane was needed to remove the heavy beam underneath the surface wreckage. Underneath was a cavity in which a woman crouched, clutching a young girl.
“My son is somewhere… close by.” Through her tears, she added, “Please find him. He’s just celebrated his fifth birthday.”
She refused to leave but allowed SARM 4’s medic, Alicja Dubicka, and another paramedic to treat her and her daughter’s injuries as she waited, praying.
Havryil feared the worst by Zorro’s inactive demeanour.
Eventually, the lifeless body of the distraught woman’s son was carried out of the wreckage. Her sorrow turned to anger.
“I curse the cowardly Russians who bomb our cities.” Her tears fell on her son’s face. Then, she held her daughter tighter, choking out, “We will never surrender.”
“Too many children have given their lives,” said Havryil, putting a comforting arm around the woman’s trembling body. “Trump and his so-called negotiators tell us to give away land for peace. Never.”
Zorro placed his muzzle against the girl.
*
Hours passed, and more missiles fell before daylight exposed the extent of the destruction to Kyiv.
Havryil was relieved that more survivors had been freed from the rubble, although many were injured and some were hospitalised. Chief Paramedic Osinniy ensured those assessed as critical by the Night Owls medics were medevaced out by helicopter.
Havryil heard that the city’s authorities reported at least 25 people were killed in the attack on the capital, including four children. The other three were aged 2, 14, and 17. More wasted lives for Putin’s greed.
Although the K9S, including Zorro, were exhausted, along with their handlers, the two vets hadn’t treated any serious injuries. Taisiya Martynyuk and Danylo Karpenko declared them all fit to fly back to base after a demanding SAR operation.
As he led Zorro to the waiting Black Hawk, Havryil recalled some words from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posted around midnight on X.
“…People may still be trapped under the rubble. Dozens are wounded. These Russian missiles and attack drones today are a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy. Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war. And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences. Russia still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin…”
***
MPA – 2,275 words
**
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
**
HEADLINES
As Russian Federation Continues Brutal Attacks against Ukraine, Senior Official, Briefing Security Council, Urges Dialogue, Immediate Ceasefire. https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc16134.doc.htm
Why Colombian volunteers are joining war in Ukraine (January 28, 2026 7:11 pm): https://kyivindependent.com/why-colombian-volunteers-are-joining-war-in-ukraine/
Languages of Colombia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Colombia
Russian strikes kill one, wound 18 people in largest aerial attack of August. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-864880
‘Moscow’s true answer to peace efforts’ — Russian mass attack on Kyiv kills 19, including children (Updated: August 29, 2025 8:07 pm): https://kyivindependent.com/russia-drones-target-kyiv-ukrainian-cities-in-large-scale-attack/?mc_cid=dba4c96291&mc_eid=a6eae6af19
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s post on X, August 27, 2025: https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1960934028321685907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1960934028321685907%7Ctwgr%5Edb2b6391c8dc2828f20ad5224ecc69518a16e21f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fkyivindependent.com%2Frussia-drones-target-kyiv-ukrainian-cities-in-large-scale-attack%2F
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