**Ukrainian Helicopter Pilot Survives Harrowing Rescue Mission Under Fire**

Captain Serhiy Muzyka reflects on an unexpected and perilous final mission, showcasing bravery under intense combat conditions.

Captain Serhiy Muzyka, a veteran pilot with 43 years of experience, found himself in an unprecedented ordeal in South Sudan, turning what should have been a routine UN rescue operation into a life-threatening experience. At 60 years old, Muzyka, who began his aviation journey in the Soviet army, never imagined his final mission prior to retirement would unfold like an action film.

Earlier this month, while en route to evacuate injured soldiers from a military base in Nasir, chaos erupted as the situation escalated into gunfire. Tragically, during the conflict, a crew member lost their life, along with over two dozen South Sudanese soldiers on the ground. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm, Muzyka managed to lift the damaged helicopter off the ground, flying to safety while documenting the horrific scenes within the cockpit.

A video Muzyka recorded reveals a bloodied interior, shattered windscreen, and panic-filled moments as he navigated the helicopter low over the terrain for almost an hour. Attempting to make sense of the traumatic event, he remarked, "It felt like a movie."

This dangerous mission involved the evacuation of six injured individuals, including a general, amid increasing instability in South Sudan, where the prospects of civil war loom. Previously experienced in perilous regions like Afghanistan and Somalia, Muzyka's training kicked in as the menacing gunfire surrounded the aircraft. His swift action and military instincts enabled him to take off amidst chaos, with soldiers falling outside and bullets continuing to strike the helicopter.

As he described the instant he recognized the severity of the situation, he recalled seeing blood seeping from his arm. Muzyka and his crew, including a flight engineer who fashioned a makeshift tourniquet from his shirt, managed to maintain malevolent focus on reaching Malakal Airport, about an hour away. Rapidly flying low to avoid being targeted further, they faced challenges such as increased oil temperatures and a disabled front wheel upon landing.

Finally arriving after almost 50 minutes, Muzyka felt relief despite the pain from his injury, only to later learn of the unfortunate loss of his colleague, flight attendant Sergii Prykhodko. The crew later received UN honors recognizing their bravery, while the UN Mission's leader denounced the attack as a potential war crime.

Now back in Ukraine for medical treatment and to reassess his future, Muzyka holds onto hope for peace and reflects on his mission, a stark reminder of the perils faced by those dedicated to saving lives in conflict zones.