Sukhoi's answer to Mikoyan i Gurevich's answer to the F-15. Because if you're concerned about security, one copy is never quite enough to feel comfortable.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found herself with a rather favourable aviation situation. The large company Antonov was under the control of the new state, and increasing globalisation would ensure plenty of demand for large transport planes and regional airliners. However, though threat of conflict on Ukraine's borders was not an immediate threat, the country lacked any great capacity for the home production of fighter jets. But, thanks to her position near the Black Sea and NATO Turkey, a number of Ukrainian squadrons had been equipped with the latest Soviet military aircraft of the late 1980s, and so many of these stayed with the Ukrainian Air Force since.

Today, the situation is rather different. Indebted to Russia over natural gas imports, an economy crippled by 4 years of secessionist conflict and the de-facto loss of Crimea, and an air force that has not kept to a high standard have left Ukraine in an unstable position. Some are expecting a full-scale conflict in the not-too-distance future, but this hound comes to you with more positive news. Russia and Ukraine have been a part of the same nation for centuries, and that bond between these people will not soon by lost to political games. Russia has no desire to risk her economic recovery by waging war in Donbass, and NATO has little desire for events to escalate further. As such, it is with fighters such as this that Ukraine's government aims to defend its integrity, and solidify its legitimacy within Ukraine's borders. Other than that, they really know how to colour a fighter jet, and anyone who knows me personally will know that I love a blue jet!

[2022 Update: Hi, future Dai here. So, yes, Putin did end up invading Ukraine. But if I might salvage some of my credibility, all the reasons why I didn't think he'd do it have all come to pass.]

Hope you enjoy!