The Red Rose and the Razgriz

The Circum-Pacific War, more commonly known as the Belkan Conflict, still remains a subject of discussion and controversy even after nine years since it was resolved. Many believed that the war was a product of lingering despair and hatred that remained ever since the Belkan War ended in 1995. A group of Belkan extremists, fueled by their desire for vengeance against two of the world superpowers they saw as those responsible for their country's downfall, infiltrated both the Osean Federation and the Union of Yuktobanian Republics. They systematically manipulated government officials and military officers of both sides into instigating a war on one another, hoping that the two nations would tear each other apart in a bloody conflict that followed.

And yet, the conflict was swiftly brought to an end within four months, thanks to a mysterious air force squadron consisted of four pilots. Admired by their allies and feared by their enemies, they came to be known as the "Demons of Razgriz", after the mythical demon of the same name that is well-known and retold throughout the world: a tale of a demon who rained death upon the land, slain after men unite together and cut the beast down. However, after a period of slumber, in which men turned on one another as madness consumed the world, the Razgriz returned as a great hero and put an end to the conflict once and for all.

Intrigued, I found myself researching for more details about this mysterious air force squadron. I myself was no stranger to demon tales. One of my past documentaries: "Warriors and the Belkan War" chronicled the tale of a legendary pilot known as the Demon Lord of the Round Table, who disappeared from the sky shortly after the Belkan War ended, never to be seen again. Just like the Demon Lord himself, the Demons of Razgriz disappeared soon after the conflict ended, never again to be seen in the skies.

Determined to learn more about them, I once again traveled the world looking for answers. The late former Osean President, Vincent Harling, had announced in the 2013 Osean Federation Council Meeting that all records detailing the Belkan Conflict will be released to the public in 2020. However, I wanted to see the Razgriz pilots through the eyes of those who had personally flew with them in battle, and so I decided to seek out my own answers.

My journey brought me to Cinigrad, the capital of Yuktobania, and I had a chance to interview one Lydia Petrova, a former pilot of Yuktobanian 501st Squadron, the famed Wisna Squadron. Callsign Wisna 2 and famous among her friends as the "Red Rose of Okchabursk", she and her wingmen were among the precious few pilots who had flown in the same skies as the Demons of Razgriz and lived to tell the tale. At present, she had already retired from the air force and is currently working as a florist in her hometown.

This is her story.

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When I first encountered the Demons of Razgriz, they weren't known by that name yet.

Nobody is entirely sure of who they are, but many people believed that they might be the Osean squadron from Sand Island Air Force Base, Osea's first line of defense against our assaults. From what I've heard, they've managed to successfully defend the base against our forces multiple times, even sinking one of our super submarines Scinfaxi in the process as well.

My first glimpse of them was on October 22, 2010. We were on the mission to intercept and shoot down an Osean cargo plane on a top secret mission. It was three weeks since our last assault on Osea, so they weren't expecting any attack. It was supposed to be an easy assignment: just fly across the pond, shoot the plane down, and get back. There wasn't even supposed to be any escort plane.

Of course, the intel was wrong.

There were four Osean fighters covering the cargo plane. The cargo plane itself was damaged, and the way it flew suggested that its pilot was attempting an emergency landing in the field below. The four fighters were ferocious. They shot down several of our advance forces. I could see their gracefulness in their flying. There were still flaws in their maneuvers, but they were definitely promising pilots. Before we could test their skills in battle ourselves, command had ordered us to retreat. I remember my flight lead being so disappointed when he landed back at the base, and to be honest, I felt the same as well myself.