This is Episode 27 of Freedom Flights. This episode continues with events that began in the last episode.
The Kursk incursion now directly involves two Night Witches, which I now realise will take multiple episodes. However, the first engagements with F-16s will probably be in Episode 29, although, the Witches will get to use other NATO jets in their arsenal.
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 27 – Defensive Relocation
2024
Thursday, August 1st – Superhumans Center, Wynnyky, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine
The therapist led the group from Chayka Field to where Olha Tkachuk was operating a device with her new prosthetic left arm, using its fingers to press keys and move levers.
“In three months, the doctor says I may be able to fly a simulator, and sometime later, I pray a real jet,” said Olha as she embraced her cousin Anhelina. She then knelt to stroke Olha’s husky Quetzal and let her sniff the prosthesis.
“She’s more relaxed now it has your scent all over it,” said Olha. “On our last visit, it must have smelled more artificial, being temporary.”
Her flight leader, Adriana Pavlenko, stood beside her. “The sisters look forward to your return. Will that be in a few months or once you have been assessed on a simulator?”
“We will assess your recovery and flexibility,” replied the therapist. “But it’s probably best if her squadron tests you on the right simulator, as ours is a basic tool for improving dexterity and responses.”
Adriana paused, seeming to deliberate on this new development.
“We are expecting a new Saab simulator any day to prepare us for the day we are asked to fly Gripen Cs again, the new Es, or the two-seater D, as a trainer and a multi-role combat fighter.”
“I’m waiting for that day expectantly,” said Olha. “Every time I flew a Gripen at Dęblin, it felt so natural. Let’s pray my right arm agrees… the two-seater D suits me best.”
“I’m reassured having a co-pilot in case my leg plays up.” Polina laughed and removed the trainer from her prosthesis, then flexed her artificial limb.
“When I first climbed into a familiar copter, my foot almost danced with joy… so to speak.”
“Do you often cover your prosthesis?” asked Olha. “It can’t need protection.”
“For non-combat everyday use, I do for practical reasons and protection,” replied Polina. However, I have other specialized appendages like for flying or my blade for sport, but I switch to this one when relaxing.”
“You will have similar,” said Olha’s therapist. “This is the lower arm attachment with which we are testing your skills, assisting your residual limb’s rehabilitation, and preparing you for the final model. Eventually, you’ll be ready for the definitive version our experts are crafting. It will be fully bionic using electrodes for greater dexterity, allowing you to fly again as proficiently as before.” She turned to Polina. “We can upgrade your prosthesis to improve its adaptability.”
“I’m ready today or when I’m next here… whatever suits my doctor.”
The therapist checked with Polina’s doctor as the friends continued talking.
“I notice another prosthesis on the side,” said Anhelina. “One that echoes your left arm, Olha“
“That one’s easier to eat with and doesn’t worry people. My social hand, you might say.”
**
Sunday, August 4th – Secret Base in Central Ukraine
Nadia Lysenko and Aline Bonheur ran the last pre-flight checks on the NH90 TTH Caïman Standard 2 prior to their test flight to Dęblin Military Air Base in Poland.
“All loaded to match mission requirements,” said Cecilija Lusk. “Thanks to you guys, data links, communication systems, and remote sensor fusion functionality operating at peak levels as required.”
She had volunteered as their loadmaster/sensor operator when Igor Dubicki had insisted on staying with Aleks Górski at Chayka Field as she was unwell.
Anatol Krakarth contacted them over the NH90’s onboard intercom.
“When the Control Tower gives us clearance to lift off, Lieutenant Lukyan Petrenko and I will begin monitoring performance and stability concerns from the initial tests.”
“The Tower will request details such as our radar signature from select monitoring stations en route to Dęblin,” added Lukyan. “The most crucial point will be when we cross the border into Poland.”
“Sierra to Control. Permission to take off, please?” asked Nadia.
“Control to Sierra. Granted. Bon voyage.”
*
When they crossed the border into Poland, Anatol and Lukyan were both smiling.
“No turbulence. Smooth so far,’ said Anatol. “Captains. Speed, please?”
“Averaging 310 kilometres per hour, which equals about 193 miles per hour. Impressive, especially with no turbulence. Is that good enough, gentlemen?”
“If our radar signature has reduced and our jamming works,” replied Lukyan. “More is always better, but too risky… and we’re running out of time.”
The crew smiled at each other.
“Approaching familiar terrain,” said Nadia. “Time to skim some trees.”
“This low?” asked Cecilija, noticing the fast-approaching ground.
“Don’t worry, Nadia and I flew like this when we served together,” said Aline. “I suspect the mission will be at night. Same as we’ll do on our return trip.”
“I totally trust you both… and the tanks out there.”
Ruslan Medved glanced out the window as they sped past the immobile hulk.
“I’m glad someone crippled that tank first.”
“Possibly Nadia in her Tiger when they prowled out here,” said Brajan Rudawski so everyone heard.
She went silent until the Dęblin control tower appeared.
“Dęblin control, this is Sierra requesting clearance to land.”
“Clear to land Sierra. Marshalls will direct you to a VIP slot… if you have our Master Engineer.”
“Affirmative.”
As they hovered near familiar buildings, the voice of Maksym Bondarenko came over the comm.
“Congratulations, Sierra crew and engineers. Your radar signature was deceptive, not at all Ukrainian. See you inside for a short debriefing. Then a traditional Witches meal before your night flight back to your base.”
As he was climbing out, Nadia spoke to Lukyan.
“I need to admit something to you later, perhaps over the meal at Zvenigora;”
“There’s one here in Dęblin?”
“One of the first two founded over a decade ago. See you inside after I’ve helped record the flight data and shut this bird down.”
*
Zvenigora Restaurant, Dęblin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland
After a debrief compiling all the outward flight data from the NH90 Caïman’s recorded performance to the radar tracking, the first stage of the tests was declared a resounding success. Anatol and Brajan would remain in Dęblin at the university. However, they would be anxiously awaiting the results of the second stage, the night flight back, after a final meal for the Sierra team.
“Do your students eat here, Anatol?” asked Lukyan. “We missed this restaurant when we came here.”
“The Shevchuk family keep the prices low for students, and they are regulars… especially now there’s the monthly movie night like we enjoyed at the Chayka Field restaurant,” replied Anatol.
Agnieszka, Sabina, and Tomas had arranged tables for the team and their hosts along one side of the restaurant.
Lukyan sat opposite Nadia and near enough to Aline and Cecilija to congratulate the whole crew.
“That was an impressive flight, thanks to you all. I’m reassured to have all three of you on the team.”
“Does that mean you need me for the mission?” asked Cecilija.
“You’re as essential as the pilots,” replied Lukyan. “Slipping into enemy territory unnoticed requires skilled flying and devious manipulation of their scanning. Drones alone can’t confuse them.”
“But Igor-“
“Wouldn’t have been the best choice,” said Lukyan. “I hadn’t considered the best option… another Night Witch. I nearly made the wrong decision.”
“I almost did,” said Nadia. “When you asked me, ‘…can any of your helicopters here match or exceed 300 kilometres per hour?”
“Why?”
“Today, when we flew past the tank, Brajan mentioned I might have destroyed it with my Tiger… which flies at 290 kilometres per hour with its Osiris rotor head mast. However, our Tigers fly at 315 kilometres per hour without the Osiris mast… faster than the Sierra NH90 Caïman.”
Lukyan laughed.
“But you sensibly never considered your Tiger as it couldn’t carry troops, even though without a mast it would exceed my required speed. Nowhere near a wrong decision.”
“I agree,” said Aline. “A modified Blackhawk would probably exceed 300 kilometres per hour, but it only carries 11 seated troops… sorry, Cecilija.”
“Apology accepted, Aline. 20 would be a squeeze… even sitting on laps,” said Cecilija, grinning.
“And hasn’t your Blackhawk been customised for medical evacuation?” asked Nadia.
“Correct,” said Cecilija. “Although, like the NH90, it can be changed as required… given time and equipment.”
Anatol, further down the table, nodded, then turned to Maksym.
“Did any of the items I requested arrive here?”
“Everything I believe. Due to the nature of the mission, nobody unpacked them.”
“As soon as we’ve eaten, I’ll arrange that,” said Anatol. “I’ll need some volunteers, including Cecilija as our loadmaster.”
*
Aviation Engineering Centre, Dęblin Military Air Base, Poland
With the NH90 Caïman moved outside the engineering hangar, Anatol was able to coordinate the removal of most of the surplus cargo used to bring the helicopter to its mission weight. Then, the requested items could be installed.
“Cecilija, that crate should contain two lighter mini guns and door mounts. Were we still sensible in favouring guns over extra fuel tanks, Lukyan?”
“Totally. We’re not going far enough to warrant extra fuel. How far exactly, I haven’t been told due to the confidential destination.”
Once the additional modifications were made, the crew prepared the Sierra for take-off as Lukyan ordered his team to board.
Anatol and Brajan stepped inside the helicopter to say farewell.
“As we’re staying here,” said Anatol, “I ensured there’s enough surplus cargo to balance out our absence. We pray your night flight is as efficient as the journey here.”
“Bon voyage,” said Brajan and then kissed Nadia passionately. “Fly home safely, mon amour.”
“I’ll miss you, moja kochana.”
As Brajan turned to leave, Maksym arrived with Aenoheso Little Hawk.
“I wanted to wish you all a good flight and a victorious mission,” said Maksym.
“I have a private message for Nadia,” said Little Hawk, who stepped inside and whispered, “Aleks says, ‘Come home safely. We have so many more missions to fly together. Don’t leave me, please.”
“Never. We need to celebrate peace together.”
**
Monday, August 5th – Staging ground, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine
The modified NH90 Caïman had reached the staging ground for the incursion into Russia four hours before the briefing for the mission. Lukyan was one of several officers whose teams had specific roles to play, so they were aware of the main intent and objective.
After discovering the overall plan, Lukyan gathered the team in a darkened room.
“At midnight, we leave here in Sierra as the advance party for a swift incursion across the border into Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Drones are creating a path through the enemy surveillance network, which Cecilija will use Sierra’s sensors to extend for the mechanized and infantry units to follow. You will now see drone night footage of that path, so our pilots know the route to take.”
Aline and Nadia watched the recordings until they had memorised and noted on a detailed digital map the key landmarks along the course the Sierra must fly. Cecilija logged any enemy surveillance the drones had detected.
“Do we know how heavily defended the nearest town is to our planned route?” asked Aline.
“All observations indicate Sudzha city is lightly defended,” said Lukyan. “The enemy is behaving as if our build-up of forces here is a defensive redeployment to reinforce this sector of the front. However, as this incursion’s spearhead, we need to be prepared to face robust resistance, especially since we are expected to scout ahead of the main force. That means flying deeper into Kursk to establish further footholds.”
He paused, guessing there might be questions.”
“Normally, we deliver the special forces and leave,” said Aline.
“Returning later to extract them,” added Nadia. “So, guess we’re staying for the duration.”
“Not quite. You’ll need to stay as long as getting us behind the enemy effectively takes,” replied Lukyan. “Before we leave, everyone check your weapons and equipment. Cecilija, check Sierra’s miniguns before you do your pre-takeoff electro-optical sensor test.”
After the special forces had done their checks, they relaxed for the final hour. Although the crew were used to chilling before a mission, this was different for them. It would be a flight into the unknown for Cecilija, although both Nadia and Aline had flown troops into enemy territory multiple times. They were reassuring her when Lukyan realised that he should help and came over.
“Don’t worry, Cecilija. This is normal for the rest of us. We’ll be there to fend off the enemy until the other units reach our position. You’ll only be flying ahead when we’ve scanned the next area.”
“And I have faith in my sisters’ abilities. They can fly as superbly at night as by day.”
“Which is great. We came back from Dęblin as fast as our outward flight. I believe we’ll match those 310 kilometres per hour average tonight.”
*
Crossing the front at speed, they could see muzzle flashes as fighting continued below them, even at night. Fortunately, nothing was aimed at Sierra since the drones had driven a wedge through the Russian’s electronic barriers. In the distance, they could see intermittent explosions from long-range artillery shells and drone strikes. But nothing that warned the enemy a major incursion was imminent.
As Nadia and Aline followed the memorised path, occasionally looking at the digital map, Cecilija used her range of sensor jammers to carve a wider route for the ground assault to follow. Although their radar detected infrequent enemy aircraft, their own increased situational awareness and low radar signature kept them undetected.
A short distance from Sudzha, Cecilija scanned the area for enemy troops. Despite the sporadic explosions, probably where drones had targeted military installations, no troops were detected. Therefore, Nadia landed on the edge of a grass field with Aline’s assistance. The special forces jumped from the NH90 Caïman and began to secure the immediate area. Three of them launched small Black Hornet reconnaissance drones to scout towards the city. Another trio were sent to the south-west, back along their route from the front.
Almost silent, unlike other UAVs, these drones allowed the team to find the nearest defenders, who were in a house on the edge of Sudzha.
“They’re unaware of our arrival,” said Lukyan. “They look like conscripts.”
“Most of them are still asleep, oblivious to the attacks,” said Ruslan Medved. “Their officers must feel the war will never come here.”
“Not for much longer,” replied Lukyan, and then approached the other three drone operators. “Any hostiles within UAV range?”
“Permission to scout further,” asked Danylo Vasylyk. “There’s nobody within 1.5 kilometres we can see in the river mist with the camera, although it should clear as dawn approaches.”
“Move slowly to the far field boundary, then lie low before launching again nearer dawn.”
**
Tuesday, August 6th – Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia
Sunrise bathed the field in golden light, and birdsong filled the air. The sounds of war were hardly perceptible. The scouts had located every Russian detachment using their tiny aerial spies.
The Sierra crew had camouflaged the helicopter with netting and foliage, which could be removed quickly in an emergency. It wasn’t long before the first Russian aircraft flew over their position. But it didn’t detect the NH90 Caïman or the encamped troops in their dugouts and continued towards the front, no doubt alerted by the main incursion.
However, the special forces soon engaged the enemy to the southwest, although while some fled, the rest threw down their weapons and surrendered. The five prisoners were brought back to the main encampment, where Lukyan tried to discover what they knew about other Russian units in the area.
With the additional intel, he made a decision.
“I’m splitting the team. Five of you, selected by Sergeant Danylo Vasylyk, will remain here to help protect the NH90 Caïman and guard the prisoners. I will take the main force and engage more of the enemy in the southwest.”
“If anyone attempts to attack from Sudzha,” said Danylo, “I’ll keep you informed.”
*
Two hours passed before a BMP-3 and seven Russian infantry soldiers emerged from Sudzha on the road along the far side of the field.
Danylo reported to Lukyan, who said his force was returning alongside the road and would ambush the force if the enemy didn’t spot the Sierra.
Unfortunately, one of the prisoners attempted to warn the approaching Russians. One guard knocked him out, but the BMP broke through the hedge between the two forces.
Danylo instructed his men, including Cecilija, to hold fire until the enemy was nearer to the centre of the field.
“Warning shots,” said the sergeant as the BMP reached the middle of the field. “Cecilija, try disabling the BMP by hitting the tracks.”
Her shots made the BMP stop. The troops kept the enemy pinned down, although the odd shot was returned. The BMP fired its cannon but short of the dugouts.
“They’re wary of hitting their men,” said Danylo. “Time for a gamble.” He raised his voice. “Kapitan Lysenko prepare to launch an anti-tank missile.”
The bluff led to a unanimous surrender as Russians scrambled around the vehicle, throwing weapons on the ground. The three BMP crew exited swiftly, anxious to survive the expected explosion.
The commander of the infantry combat vehicle staggered forward.
“When we realised you had that helicopter, I knew we were outnumbered,” he explained in Ukrainian. “Who is your senior officer, please?”
Danylo hesitated even though Lukyan had left him in charge. He glanced back to the Sierra, where Aline and Nadia were watching with Cecilija. Without missiles, they were outnumbered by Russians 15:8.
“I’m in charge of these men, but Kapitan Nadia Lysenko is the senior officer. What should I tell her?”
“It’s about Sudzha and the people.”
Nadia had joined them and heard the exchange.
“What do they need?” asked Nadia. “Lieutenant Lukyan Petrenko has the final decision. Despite our respective ranks, he’s this mission’s senior officer.”
Could she play for time? When the fifteen other special forces returned, they would outnumber the Russians 23:15. How long before the Russians realised they still held the advantage?
**
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