The United States Purchases 80 Warplanes from a Russian Ally at a Bargain Price

The Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine and the Need for Military Support

Discussions about sending warplanes to Ukraine have been ongoing for over two years now, ever since Russia initiated its “special operation” by invading Ukrainian territory, sparking a conflict that continues to this day.
One of the main reasons for the challenges faced by the Ukrainian army is Russia’s clear superiority in the skies.

Ukraine’s Call for Western Aid

From the beginning, Volodymyr Zelensky has been calling for assistance from the West to counter Russia’s dominance.
The West responded by approving the supply of F-16 fighter jets, which are known for their combat effectiveness.

Delays in Receiving F-16 Jets

Despite the promise of F-16 jets, Kiev has been waiting for over a year to deploy them.
Due to the complexity of training Ukrainian pilots accustomed to Soviet-made aircraft, it will be some time before Ukraine can utilize these advanced warplanes, likely not before the summer.

Reports of US Acquiring Soviet-Era Warplanes

A news article by Kyiv Post, later picked up by Business Insider, claimed that the United States had purchased 81 outdated Soviet-era fighter jets from Kazakhstan.
The purchase allegedly took place at a bargain price, with each aircraft costing less than $20,000.

The Kazakh Auction of Soviet-Era Aircraft

Kazakhstan, aiming to upgrade its air fleet, reportedly auctioned off 117 Soviet-era fighter jets and bombers, including various models like MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter-bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the ’70s and ’80s.

Possible Reasons for US Acquisition

The motives behind the US acquiring these obsolete Soviet warplanes remain unclear.
Speculations suggest that the US might send them to Ukraine for spare parts or strategically position them as decoys at airports.

Moreover, this move could raise suspicions from Russia towards Kazakhstan, a country rich in resources that was once a close ally but is now leaning towards the West.
There are concerns that Russia might consider invading Kazakhstan once the operation in Ukraine concludes, especially as Kazakhstan is reportedly upgrading its military defenses.