Helicopter pilot recounts flying under gunfire in daring rescue mission

Captain Serhiy Muzyka, a seasoned helicopter pilot, has dedicated 43 years of his life to flying, starting his career in the Soviet army. Recently, he faced a life-threatening situation in South Sudan that felt like something out of an action movie. At 60 years old, Captain Muzyka was preparing for what he thought would be a routine mission for the United Nations. However, this mission quickly escalated into a terrifying ordeal that he will remember forever. He has flown in many dangerous areas throughout his career, including Afghanistan and Somalia, but the mission to evacuate wounded soldiers from a military base in Nasir was unlike any other. Upon his arrival, a shoot-out broke out, resulting in the tragic deaths of a crew member and over two dozen South Sudanese soldiers. Captain Muzyka himself was shot in the arm but managed to pilot the damaged helicopter to safety. He recorded a short video from inside the cockpit, showing the blood and destruction around him, describing the experience as 'like a movie. ' The UN had tasked him with evacuating six injured soldiers, including a general, along with two negotiators. The situation in South Sudan is fraught with tension due to a fragile peace deal that has not been fully realized. The country has experienced significant violence since gaining independence, with nearly 400,000 lives lost during the civil war. The peace agreement aimed to unite rival factions, but distrust remains high, especially in regions like Nasir, where a militia known as the White Army operates. Recently, tensions flared when more regular army soldiers were sent to the area, which was seen as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. On the day of the shoot-out, Captain Muzyka and his team had already successfully completed one evacuation mission. However, during the second attempt, chaos erupted as gunfire rang out while passengers were boarding the helicopter. Captain Muzyka quickly realized they were under attack when he felt blood oozing from his arm. His flight attendant, Sergii Prykhodko, was shot, and Captain Muzyka's military training kicked in. He immediately decided to take off, witnessing soldiers falling outside the aircraft as he lifted into the air. The helicopter was hit multiple times, and the fuel tanks were punctured, creating a dire situation. Captain Muzyka had to fly as low and fast as possible to reach the airport in Malakal, which was about an hour away. He was concerned about the helicopter's systems failing, but he remained focused on getting to safety. His flight engineer helped stop the bleeding from his arm, using his shirt as a tourniquet. As they approached the airport, they faced additional challenges, including a blocked front wheel from the attack. Despite these obstacles, Captain Muzyka successfully landed the helicopter 49 minutes after taking off under fire, with over 20 bullet holes in the aircraft. He felt a huge sense of relief but also realized the gravity of his injuries. Throughout his military career, he had only experienced one attack before, during a night flight in Afghanistan in 1987. After landing, the crew and passengers received medical attention, but tragically, Mr. Prykhodko did not survive. Captain Muzyka and his team were later honored with a UN medal for their bravery, but the loss of their colleague weighed heavily on them. The incident has also heightened their concerns for family members back home in Ukraine, who are facing attacks from Russian forces. Captain Muzyka has returned to Ukraine for treatment and to reunite with his family. He remains hopeful for a peaceful future, stating that 'common sense will prevail in the world. ' Although retirement is on the horizon, he still feels young at heart because of his passion for flying.