Originally Posted by
zambonidriver
Without manufacturer support they be very difficult to operate...
Not impossible, Iran has managed to keep a fleet of western aircraft in the air since 1979 and counting... The remnants of the old Soviet aircraft industry are still capable of manufacturing many replacement parts if needed, subject only to local CAA authorisation, which in this case will be forthcoming. As long as these aircraft remain within the realm, they can be operated with impunity. Of course there will be safety implications, as there was in Iran, but if you look at all those Russian dashcam videos, you'll realise that this concept is treated a bit differently than in our part of the world.