Episode 47 of Freedom Flights is set in July 2025 and this is the last part. Some events foreshadowed in this episode will take a few months to play out, while others may be resolved in the next episode. 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 reached and rebuilding begins, I will continue to write 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.

Episode 47. Rapid Aggravation. Part 2. Escalation Of Terror.

2025

Friday, July 11^th – Squadron Command Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Reactions to the massive attack on Lutsk were still rippling around the base after two days. Therefore, Kalyna & Vasy Chayka had scheduled a meeting with the base’s section leaders to discuss key matters unresolved after that night’s events.

“Before we talk about anything else, we wish to reiterate the entire squadron’s condolences to Capitaine Marielle Simonova Oliynyk over the tragic loss of her husband, Captain Andriy Oliynyk,” said Kalyna. “Vasy and I feel his name should be recorded alongside our departed sisters, as our base was among the enemy’s targets on that night.”

“As you all know, he has been posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star,” added Vasy. “The President and Air Force Commander also awarded Andrij the next military rank of major. They passed their condolences to his widow, Capitaine Simonova, who we informed them was a foreign Mirage pilot serving Ukraine.”

The Chayka majors embraced Marielle, who was momentarily in tears. Then she thanked everyone.

She added, “I’ve been devastated after Andriy died defending this base and Volyn Oblast. His final words to me were, ‘I needed to be with you once more, Amante. Live for our daughter, Zoya, and for me,’ and I felt them deeply. But those words and his memory gave me the strength to push through my inner turmoil. We need to keep fighting for Ukraine and remember all those who gave their lives for freedom. I still have my duties to this squadron and to Zoya.”

“For anyone who doesn’t realise, Zoya means ‘life’ in Ukrainian,” said Vasy. “The original Vasy Chayka, my grandmother christened two precious kids, Zoya.”

Kalyna laughed.

“Goat kids, but definitely precious. Let’s move on. Due to our actions and those of others, fewer properties were destroyed, and the casualties were reduced beyond what was expected from such a massive attack.”

Vasy added, “Some of you will have heard President Zelenskyy’s saying, ‘Our interceptor drones were used — dozens of enemy targets were downed, and we are scaling up this technology.’ Here at Chayka Field, we’re noting that enough data has been collected for our drone engineers to improve our interceptors. Mariyka, do you want to add anything?”

“We’re always making improvements,” said Mariyka Shevchuk. “We must attempt to outthink the Russians. They are continually devising ways to bypass our defences. But we have innovative ideas too, from inventors in Ukraine and allied nations. The key is ensuring the enemy needs to deal with our strikes.”

Everyone acknowledged that truth.

“Oil strikes are one area,” said Nadia Lysenko. “The attacks on Russian oil facilities must be a blow. However, as Zelenskyy said, more sanctions are needed as countries buying their oil are fueling Moscow’s war machine. What is the US administration doing?”

Tamila Medved explained a lot of the muttering.

“Before the assault came, there was a temporary pause on shipments of some weapons, including missiles for our Patriot batteries. Although Trump reversed that in one of his anti-Putin moods, it couldn’t have stalled the Russians. Since the attacks, Trump has grown impatient with the lack of progress, so he’s promised to send ten Patriot interceptors to Ukraine because Putin is killing too many people.”

She paused before asking, “Will Putin suck up to Trump to make him flip stances again? How many more like my brother and Andriy must die?”

Nobody could answer that.

A moment later, the Chayka cousins gave some good news.

“Our underground facilities proved themselves, especially the rear exits,” said Kalyna.

“And our first school survived,” added Vasy. “Building it seven metres underground, making it safe during an air raid, impressed pupils and teachers so much that it has led other families to enrol their kids.”

“After our rescue efforts in Lutsk,” said Corynn Amsel. “We have three more handlers wishing to train as SARM volunteers.”

**

Monday, July 21^st –  K9 Training Area, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine

Corynn Amsel and her colleagues were impressed with each of the prospective K9 handlers and their canine talent.

“We could use all three,” said Ailish Delaney. “The advantage of smaller and slimmer dogs in tight situations has become apparent a few times.”

“Our larger dogs struggle crawling through narrow entrances,” added Isla Clacher. “And when they succeed, they can injure themselves… often grazes but still needing treatment.”

Once they all agreed on the need for such K9s, Corynn asked the three handlers to call their dogs back from their set tests.

“We all believe you would be invaluable additions to our SARM teams. So, for now, you will be assigned as follows: Yuliya Kostyuk with her Beagle, Freckles, to SARM 1, Havryil Tkachenko with his Springer Spaniel, Zorro, to SARM 4, and Danyila Zinchenko with her Airedale Terrier, Tonka, to SARM 5. Please, can the existing teams welcome their newest recruit, then each SARM should run through the training routines in turn.”

*

As the teams completed all the training runs, veterinarian Taisiya Martynyuk, assisted by vet-tech Danylo Karpenko, checked all the dogs for injuries.

When they had examined them all, Taisiya turned to Danylo.

“We could face an interesting challenge as some of these dogs are neutered or spayed, which in some cases aids their performance and health, preserves their natural instincts and behaviour, which are essential for certain work. However, any of the bitches need to be separated from the others just before they come into heat.”

“Meaning they need to be monitored by the handlers and us,” replied Danylo. “Have any of the handlers discussed breeding?”

“Only the Douglass sisters with their two Dobermans. But with two Beagles, we need to talk to Ailish about whether she’s ever considered Rosheen as perfect for breeding.”

“If she has, then we must ask Yuliya what she knows about Freckles’ bloodline.”

**

Thursday, July 31^st – Sviatoshynskyi  District, Kyiv, Ukraine

While firefighters ensured buildings were safe for search teams to enter, Night Owl medic Alicja Dubicka heeded Chief Paramedic Osinniy’s conclusion from the briefing.

“Remember, if your K9 colleagues find anyone who needs hospital treatment, we can call in Golf or Hotel medevac, depending on casualty numbers.”

Alicja followed her SARM 4 teammates into the first apartment, noting how Kenina, the German Shepherd, and Zorro, the Springer Spaniel, worked together to search every room. Their handlers, Isla Clacher and Havryil Tkachenko, had quickly created an effective team, which allowed Alicja to focus on her role.

“There’s someone in here,” said Havryil, as Zorro indicated a closet.

Inside was a woman, trapped behind a jammed door. Fortunately, the fire had bypassed the closet, so Alicja’s task was more reassurance than wound treatment.

However, over the next few hours, SARM 4 found more severe casualties, requiring Alicja to apply more of her medical training. When the team helped pull an elderly man from a collapsed house, she knew more was needed as she treated his surface injuries. She finished her patient notes while Isla informed Osinniy.

 The paramedic arrived carrying a stretcher with Iryna Forsberg from the Golf Griffon medevac.

“We’ve landed in the closest space,” said Iryna. “Is the patient ready to load? Osinniy has a second pickup.”

“Ready for the stretcher. He needs to be treated soon, but not urgently,” said Alicja, handing Osinniy her notes. “Where’s the second  patient?”

“A few streets over. SARM 2 has a couple, both needing treatment at a hospital. The district was hit hard with the usual double taps. Ten dead confirmed, and the rescue operation is ongoing for us all.”

*

Solomianskyi District, Kyiv, Ukraine

With so much broken glass from all the shattered apartment windows, Danylo Karpenko was already treating injured paws, since not every K9 handler could afford the protective boots. The Owls had ordered three pairs from their support network, but until they arrived, paw wax and care were needed.

Danylo wasn’t surprised when Yuliya Kostyuk and Freckles returned after SARM 1 finished searching another apartment block. But her Beagle seemed unharmed, or rather not limping.

“The wax and being attentive work well for his paws,” said Yuliya. “But narrow spaces are still hazardous. Freckles squeezed through one and caught his harness on something. He wounded his shoulder, so I treated the wound, but Aldona suggested you should double-check.”

She handed him a rusty nail as he knelt to inspect Freckles.

“Nasty,” he said, examining the offending object. “But your wound care is perfect. We’ll monitor for infection back at base since the nail could be contaminated.”

“We must keep Freckles fit if he has breeding potential, as you say. Ailish would be disappointed if Rosheen had to mate with a stranger’s Beagle.”

Before Danylo could respond, a radio message came from the State Emergency Service Chief for Solomianskyi District.

“All SAR teams to my coordinates. We have numerous people trapped under the rubble of  all nine floors of an apartment building’s end section.”

Danylo followed Yuliya, catching up with the rest of SARM 1 at the horrendous scene.  Aldona Jagoda was talking to the SES Chief.

“We can search with two K9s, but it will take time. If there are no more available units, we have more we can call on.”

“Do that, and then we can start,” replied the Chief. “All our units are covering multiple incidents across Kyiv.”

While Aldona contacted the other teams, Danylo called Taisiya.

“When you’re free, we could do with your and Tryzub’s aid. Are you with SARM 2?”

“With SARM 2, who is answering Aldona’s request for aid. Osinniy is back from the hospital, so flying over in Golf.”

*

Osinniy and the four SARM medics worked into the night, as the K9 units found casualties. Most were trapped and injured, so they were treated, or in two cases, flown to the hospital.

However, when the body of a young child was found beneath the rubble, Osinniy felt the same despair she sensed when she was a medic at the front. It was also etched on everyone’s faces, and an elderly woman expressed it as she choked out ten grim words.

“It’s not a war — it’s a destruction of a nation.”

Osinniy went over and comforted the woman, guessing she had lost everything in the attack. After describing her escape from the collapsing building, the woman stared at the rubble.

“I don’t even know what I am waiting for,” she said, tears flowing from her blue eyes.

Then she explained that her daughter, along with two grandsons aged 21 and 17, were still under the rubble.

“We won’t give up on them,” said Osinniy, holding back her own tears. They would continue working in shifts, especially the nine dogs, who needed regular breaks to remain focused and effective.

*

Shortly after midnight, Corynn Amsel watched the strained faces as the Black Hawk took off from Kyiv, heading to base. Nine tired K9s, including her own Rikke, dozed after their lengthy search of numerous shattered homes.

Osinniy and the other medics were accompanying three more seriously injured patients to the hospital in the Griffon.

Corynn knew too many Kyiv residents had died overnight, thirty-one at the last count, and over 150 had been wounded. Tragically, more casualties were expected as the rescue operation continued.

“Were we wrong leaving those relatives waiting by the ruined buildings down there?” asked Danylo, sitting opposite her. “I guess we couldn’t help.”

“Not even though they wanted to find out the fate of their loved ones,” said Taisiya, beside him. “All our dogs were too exhausted to be useful.”

Corynn reflected on the four teams’ rapid response to the devastation and the human cost.  She realised the time and repeated the official announcement.

“After these nightmare attacks, today has been declared a Day of Mourning in Kyiv. Flags will be flown at half-mast on all municipal buildings. All entertainment events are banned in the city all day.”

“We should honour this at Chayka Field,” added Taisiya. “I also heard our Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has requested that the U.N. Security Council immediately hold a meeting over Russia’s aggressive, large-scale attacks on Kyiv.”

***

MPA – 2,023 words

**

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

*

HEADLINES

16 killed, record number of children injured in Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-16-killed-record-number-of-children-injured-in-russias-massive-attack-on-kyiv/

‘It was the end of the world’ — Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv kills at least 31, injures over 150: https://kyivindependent.com/it-was-the-end-of-the-world-russian-missile-and-drone-strike-on-kyiv-kills-at-least-12-injures-over-130/?mc_cid=6a5dfc2e03&mc_eid=a6eae6af19

As search efforts conclude, Russia’s attack on Kyiv becomes most deadly on capital this year with 31 civilians killed: https://kyivindependent.com/massive-fires-reported-in-kyiv-amid-russias-latest-drone-attack/