Episode 43 of Freedom Flights is set in March 2025 and will be released in three parts, making it easier to absorb. As always, some events foreshadowed in this episode will take a few months to play out, while others may be resolved in Episode 44.
I will continue 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 tackle just crucial RL incidents in a specific month, so I hope to reach the present quickly, as well as the character development. I don’t want to be stuck writing about earlier months when the last shot is fired.
Therefore, until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine is reached, I will continue to write more episodes, thus addressing the essential rebuilding. I intend to finish writing the pre-2022 growth of the Chayka Family and their aviation business based in Canada, Chayka Air, but that will be posted elsewhere.
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 43. Disarming Attachments. Part 1.
2025
Friday, March 7th – Northeast above Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine.
It was approaching dawn when the three Night Witches confronted the swarm of Russian drones beginning its descent towards a remote village.
“Soleil to flight. Detecting no ground defence. Jam our targets. Ensure they miss houses.”
Many drones crashed into surrounding fields, but seven continued their destructive trajectory. The three Mirage 2000-5F pilots dropped below them, using their cannons to destroy every threat. Fragments spiralled down as the jets pulled away.
“Soleil to Cardinal and Amante. Great work. Our first kills for Ukraine. Continue our patrol. Over.”
“Cardinal to flight. Will we be credited?”
“Amante to Cardinal. I suspect, not until we’re officially recognised.”
“Soleil to flight. Amante may be right. We’ll discover when we return to base.”
*
Dęblin Military Air Base, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
Commandant Raphaëlle Balode was waiting on the Dęblin runway for the return of the first combat flight of Night Witch Mirage 2000-5Fs.
The trio landed, and the jets were directed to the squadron’s hangar. The maintainers took over as Capitaine Éliane Nowicki, Capitaine Marielle Simonova, and Captain Lyana Rudenko greeted Raphaëlle.
“Great to see you return,” said Raphaëlle. “Let’s debrief you inside.”
Before they left the hangar, Adjudant Léana Melnik came over, looking concerned.
“One of you had a lucky escape when your Mirage’s fuselage was pierced by debris. It narrowly missed your fuel tank. Did any of you notice anything?”
“I felt something when we pulled away after downing some drones,” said Marielle. “Nothing that affected my Mirage. Was it mine?”
“Yes,” replied Léana. “Although the damage is repairable, the strike came close to being critical. We’ll check all three jets minutely.”
“That was a risky manoeuvre… for all of us,” said Éliane. “But without knowing if the houses were inhabited, we had little choice.”
“I suspect we’d all do it again,” added Lyana. “That’s on the record, Raphaëlle, whenever our debrief starts.”
*
Upstairs, the trio recounted their drone encounter and outlined their previous uneventful patrols.
“I’m surprised you weren’t dispatched to combat aerial attacks until today,” said Raphaëlle. “Unless the aim was to let other flights deal with the almost nightly attacks.”
“The UAF moved us around nearly every other day,” said Éliane. “Maybe that also confused the Russians trying to guess where the Mirages were.”
“The F-16s saw plenty of action,” noted Marielle. “And yes, that included Andrij.”
“The crucial question is, were we the first?” asked Lyana. “The first Mirages to record a kill?”
“Unfortunately, not officially,” replied Raphaëlle. “Today, a pair of Mirage 2000-5F pilots on their in-plane cameras recorded one of them shooting down a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile somewhere. That’s the one the media are claiming as the first Mirage kill. Sorry, as yet we don’t count… even if we have more flight hours.”
The roar of jet engines outside announced the return of the other Dęblin-based Night Witches from their morning exercises. When the ground crew had directed them to their assigned maintenance spaces, the twelve pilots joined their sisters upstairs. Most of them embraced the trio and then introduced the four newest pilots.
Raphaëlle let the enthusiasm subside before continuing the debrief.
“Did this morning’s exercise proceed as planned? Anaëlle?”
“As designated trainer, it was interesting and invaluable,” replied Anaëlle. “Returning from the training area, everyone was upbeat. Two mixed teams worked, especially with one two-seater per team. We can attempt different matches now the other three Mirages have returned.”
“I’m afraid not exactly,” said Raphaëlle. “We’re being allowed to dispatch a second patrol flight to Ukraine. This time with four jets, and I’d like the leader to be you, Lieutenant Michel. And after this morning’s successful exercise, who are your three wing-sisters?”
Anaëlle smiled and faced the group.
“The choice is tough since this could involve combat, albeit against rockets and drones, and you’re all top-class. So, I’m selecting Lieutenant Tatiana Ojala as my Québécois number two. Plus, two of our indispensable sergeants, Benoîte Yurchenko and Adélie Levchenko.”
The choices proved acceptable, and Raphaëlle added a comment.
“A just selection, but if you’re not chosen, there will be other Mirage sorties before this war ends. The training will continue, although we keep desperately requesting more planes from France. Any questions?”
Silence, until one of the Portuguese twins spoke up.
“My sister and I wondered when we’d be sent into Ukraine?” asked Nilda Silveira, in her carefully pronounced French. “A change to be on opposite sides earlier, not together.”
Anaëlle whispered to Raphaëlle, who nodded understandingly. Then she replied in Portuguese.
“As we hoped, you coordinate well with your French and Québécois colleagues in Mirages, both solo and together. However, in your F-16s, you operate most effectively as an assertive duo. We’ve already seen pairs of pilots prove their worth in Ukraine, and that’s how you’ll be unleashed.”
“How soon?” asked Leandra Silveira.
“UAF are saying tomorrow they’ll send your orders via Chayka Field,” answered Raphaëlle, adding in French. “For F-16s and Mirages, we expect the imminent runway extension there within two weeks.”
As everyone cheered, Kapitan Adriana Pavlenko entered and looked confused.
“Sorry if I’m late, I was checking over our newly provided Gripen JAS 39F two-seater from Sweden.”
“Except it was impressive earlier,” said Anaëlle. “When you let Vérène prove she was as adept as she is at flying her Mirage.”
“I look forward to flying a Gripen E,” said Vérène Kazlova.
“As do my sister and I,” said Killa Echeverría. “Our Kfirs are great for flying tight turns on faster jets, but the Gripen felt agile, fast, and lethal.”
Adriana laughed, replying, “That’s why I’m pushing you so hard. However, the Swedish trainers will be tougher when they’re here shortly. Hopefully, with more Gripen Es.”
**
Sunday, March 9th – Recreation Centre, Chayka Field, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine
Capitaine Dasha Isakova was concerned at the footage showing that Russian forces had captured more settlements in Kursk Oblast. Was Mykhail Moroz alive? Was the 80th Air Assault Brigade still there fighting? She prayed for Mykhail and those he served with, guessing what they faced. Would she ever see Mykhail again?
By her face, his sister, Polina Moroz, was worried too.
“When did you last hear from your brother, Polina?”
“Not since he and Ruslan had to return to Kursk after they foiled the raid here in late January. He must be fighting in Russia again. We can only pray he returns to us… and we all survive.”
“We must,” said her friend and co-pilot, Marusya Dudziarz. “Every life lost is a tragedy, especially if Ukraine is forced to make unrealistic sacrifices for peace.”
“Like abandoning people in the Donbas,” added Dasha.
*
Nearby, Kalyna and Vasy Chayka watched the Kursk footage with Mariyka Shevchuk.
“I pray our front holds against this Russian onslaught,” said Vasy. “Does Ukraine have the resources to prevail? I fear the flow of military aid from the West is slowing.”
“Is even the crucial equipment being sent? We aren’t encouraged to use our Gripens effectively,” added Kalyna. “Perhaps our tactics are wrong.”
“This war is becoming more about drones than conventional arms,” said Mariyka. “Our engineers here are becoming adept at making them.”
They all went quiet, pondering the issue.
“Before time is against us, we need to plan laterally,” said Kalyna. “We need to ask everyone in the squadron for their input. Chayka Air already began devising a strategy.”
**
Saturday, March 15th – Bydgoszcz, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
She reached below the restaurant table to stroke her German Shorthaired Pointer, Rikke.
“I’ve been amazed at your K9’s behaviour over these six days,” said Adorján. “Is she normally so calm?”
“Unless someone is suspicious or poses a threat.” Once the waiter brought their food, Corynn asked, “ Are any of your colleagues in Hungary K9 handlers?”
“Some are, especially when we’re protecting something. Although, like when you were helping demonstrate a K9’s value in crime scene investigations, we use them.” Adorján paused to eat some pierogi ruskie, then asked, “Did the organisers know in advance you were coming with Rikke?”
“When I booked in December, I said as a K9 handler serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, I wanted to bring my GSP.”
Adorján looked surprised.
“You’re Canadian, not Ukrainian? But you’re assigned to a Ukrainian squadron. Why?”
Corynn shook her head, finishing her pierogi ruskie. Then she answered.
“It’s an all-female squadron from multiple countries who believe Ukraine has a right to exist. We’re fighting for Ukraine’s freedom and for the free world’s.”
Adorján hesitated before replying.
“Isn’t that hopeless. Ukraine is really part of Russia, so Putin is liberating its people. Isn’t that correct?”
She shook her head.
“Historically, Ukraine and Russia have different though similar origins. However, unlike in authoritarian Russia, the people of Ukraine are fighting for their fledgling democracy. Most Ukrainians don’t want to be part of Russia.”
Corynn let him absorb this while they finished their starter. Eventually, Adorján questioned her information.
“But didn’t the people in the eastern region vote in 2022 to be part of Russia?”
“You mean the illegal ‘referendums’ in the occupied territories, when most of the population had either fled from the Russians or were compelled to vote at gunpoint. Why do you think almost every country condemned the elections? There was overwhelming evidence of intimidation and fraud. Not to mention some of the area annexed by Russia was and is still under Ukrainian control.”
Adorján stroked back his blonde hair and grinned. Corynn wasn’t disarmed, but she smiled back, hoping she didn’t need to discuss their political differences more.
“Even our Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, amazingly didn’t recognise the legitimacy of the referendums or the annexation. I may be in the military, but privately, I don’t agree with his pro-Russian stance or his autocratic doctoring of our democracy.” He paused and drew a long breath. “Please, let’s build from there. You’ve sparked something in me.”
Corynn giggled and grasped his hand.
“In me too. Why waste time on politics when we have better things to explore?” she said, glancing across the Brda River beside the restaurant.
“Exactly. Let’s finish exploring the menu, then this beautiful corner of the city in the moonlight.”
“And more before my train leaves at midday tomorrow.”
**
MPA: 1,779 words
Slava Ukraini
Heroiam slava!
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