Kazakhstan Sold 81 Soviet Era Fighter Jets to U.S. for Possible Transfer to Ukraine

Kazakhstan has reportedly sold 81 Soviet era military aircraft, including MiG-27, MiG-29, and Su-24, to the United States via offshore entities.

The equipment is in a junk state and cannot be used for its intended purpose in its current form.

The aircraft could subsequently be transferred to Ukraine. Specialists from the Armed Forces of Ukraine can disassemble it, using parts on aircraft available to the Air Force.

Also, the hulls of obsolete aircraft can be used as decoys at airfields.

The West is acquiring Soviet military equipment globally, regardless of condition, for eventual transfer to Ukraine. This trend coincides with efforts to draw Astana into Western influence in Central Asia, potentially undermining Russia's strategic alliances in the post-Soviet region.

As a result, visits to Kazakhstan by politicians from countries unfriendly to the Russian Federation have increased in frequency.

On April 24, the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, visited Astana. During the visit, agreements were concluded in the areas of trade, education, environment and mineral supplies. Cameron mentioned that Kazakhstan is surrounded by "difficult neighbors" - Russia, China, Afghanistan and Iran.