The customs officer is just a box propped up by a stick

The article calls the planes unusable, so I don’t think Ukraine has enough spare parts to fix up 81 outdated planes just to blow them up. They’ll probably strip out everything usable and use the more modern husks as decoys. That being said, I have a feeling Ukraine will scrape together enough parts to get some of the older models flying and cause some embarrassing security incidents and IFF shenanigans. Finally, there’s the possibility that other former Soviet countries can pool the resources to refurbish at least a few aircraft, which would be good timing after the latest US aid package and donated F-16s entering service in the next year.

The pilots will be bringing home American doctrine, and be introduced to a wider array of weapons, tactics, and networking technology. Most importantly, in my opinion, the Soviet technology bubble has been broken and Ukraine will gain 21st century air power.

But the improvised cope cage didn’t even get a scratch. Checkmate, NATO.

Older siblings always have the coolest hand-me-downs.