Captain Serhiy Muzyka's story exemplifies bravery amidst chaos during a humanitarian operation in South Sudan.
**Courage Under Fire: Ukrainian Pilot's Heroic Rescue Mission in South Sudan**
**Courage Under Fire: Ukrainian Pilot's Heroic Rescue Mission in South Sudan**
A gripping account of a helicopter pilot's life-threatening mission to evacuate soldiers under attack.
In a gripping tale reminiscent of a high-stakes action film, 60-year-old Captain Serhiy Muzyka, a seasoned helicopter pilot with 43 years of experience, faced an unprecedented challenge during a United Nations mission in South Sudan earlier this month. Muzyka, who began his aviation career in the Soviet army and served extensively in the Ukrainian army, found his final deployment spiraling into chaos when a routine operation escalated into a firefight.
The mission involved evacuating six wounded soldiers from a military base in Nasir, located in Upper Nile state. Despite an extensive military background that included witnessing conflict in Afghanistan, this particular mission would etch itself into his memory more indelibly than any before. Following an unexpected attack at the base, where gunfire erupted, Muzyka not only sustained a shrapnel injury to his arm but also witnessed the tragic loss of a crew member and numerous South Sudanese soldiers.
In raw footage taken from the cockpit, bloodied and visibly shaken, Muzyka recalled how surreal the day felt, stating, "I thought it happened in a dream." The team’s urgent task shifted dramatically as chaos reigned, but Muzyka relied on his rigorous training. With bullets striking the aircraft's frame, and fuel tanks punctured, he executed an emergency takeoff under perilous conditions.
For nearly an hour, Muzyka maneuvered low over the terrain toward the nearest airport in Malakal while myriads of the helicopter's systems failed, including a damaged gearbox. In a remarkable show of composure and skill, the captain kept the craft airborne. As he successfully touched down with his aircraft bearing over twenty bullet holes, relief washed over him—only to be replaced by agonizing awareness of his injury, for which he received immediate medical attention upon landing.
Despite the incident's tragic outcome, with the loss of flight attendant Sergii Prykhodko, Muzyka and his crew were later honored with a UN medal of bravery. The mission is a stark reminder of the fragile peace in South Sudan, where tensions remain high amid a history of violent conflict. As Captain Muzyka reflects on his harrowing experience, he expresses hope for a future where "common sense will prevail" as he faces retirement—unsure but optimistic about what lies ahead.
