Heroic Rescue Mission in South Sudan: A Pilot’s Perilous Experience

Captain Serhiy Muzyka, a seasoned Ukrainian pilot, endured a life-threatening rescue mission in South Sudan, where a routine operation escalated into gunfire. Despite sustaining wounds, he successfully navigated the helicopter to safety, though tragically losing a crew member. The situation reflects the deepening conflict between factions in South Sudan and highlights the challenges faced by international peacekeepers.

Captain Serhiy Muzyka, a 60-year-old Ukrainian pilot with a 43-year career, faced an unprecedented and life-threatening situation during a recent United Nations rescue mission in South Sudan. This mission, aimed at evacuating injured soldiers from a military base, quickly turned perilous with a violent shoot-out breaking out, claiming lives and leaving Captain Muzyka wounded himself.

Muzyka’s military history includes service in the Ukrainian army and active roles in high-risk areas such as Afghanistan and Somalia. However, the evacuation from Nasir, South Sudan, stands out as the most dramatic of his experiences. The shoot-out resulted in casualties, including a crew member and numerous South Sudanese soldiers, while Muzyka sustained a gunshot wound to his arm.

A video he recorded in the cockpit depicted the aftermath of the chaos, featuring his injury and the damaged helicopter. He described the ordeal as reminiscent of a film, stating, “I thought it happened in a dream.” This operation involved evacuating six injured soldiers, including a general, under challenging circumstances. The UN peacekeepers present are tasked with maintaining stability in a region at risk of another civil conflict due to escalating tensions between opposing factions.

The backdrop of this violence stems from ongoing mistrust and conflict between the forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, with the recent deployment of soldiers raising concerns among local militias like the White Army. This distrust fueled a rapid escalation in conflict prior to the undertaking of Captain Muzyka’s mission, marked by the seizure of an army base.

On the day of the evacuation, the crew had successfully completed an initial mission before returning to carry out a second extraction. Within moments of boarding, gunfire erupted, leading Captain Muzyka to execute an immediate take-off even as he observed soldiers falling outside the helicopter while being struck himself.

As he navigated low and fast toward Malakal airport, Captain Muzyka worked against time, given the damage to the helicopter systems and his own injury. His crew member provided emergency care as they fought against the odds, successfully landing the damaged helicopter safely despite ongoing mechanical failures and sustaining more than 20 bullet holes in the aircraft.

Upon landing, Captain Muzyka was finally able to acknowledge his injury and the gravity of the situation. Tragically, despite immediate medical attention, his flight attendant succumbed to his wounds. The crew’s subsequent recognition from the UN highlighted the severity of the attack, with the head of mission categorizing it as a potential war crime.

Captain Muzyka has since returned to Ukraine for treatment and to reunite with his family. Despite contemplating retirement, he maintains an optimistic outlook for the future, echoing his hope that “common sense will prevail in the world.”

In conclusion, Captain Serhiy Muzyka’s harrowing experience during a UN rescue operation in South Sudan exemplifies the grave risks faced by military personnel in conflict zones. His remarkable bravery under fire, alongside the tragic loss of a crew member, underscores the ongoing tensions in South Sudan and the broader implications of international peacekeeping efforts. As he returns to Ukraine for recovery, the captain’s hope for peace resonates amidst the chaos of conflict.

Original Source: www.bbc.com