There was an attempt by enthusiasts in the Russian Air Force last year, the 70th anniversary, to perform a commemoration flight by the same route, which was lost at an advanced planning stage through the US being silly over some aspect of their licences
I find that very strange as Russian Aircraft, both civil and military transit and operate in and out of the United States on a very regular basis. What type aircraft was/is to be used for this commemorative flight? Perhaps that was the problem, if so they should contact the EAA for help.
On a side note, I was involved in a minor way arranging for the first visit of modern day Soviet, prior to the fall of the USSR, military aircraft, the then new SU-27 and the MIG-29, and civil aircraft to perform at an airshow in Oklahoma. It took a long time and it was not easy, but we got it done.
The fighters were escorted down from Alaska to Oklahoma City by US F-16 and F-15 fighters who remained with the Soviet team for the entire tour of the US. I know for a fact of a US Air Force Lt. Col. who took a ride in the back seat of one of the SU-27s, he had a blast.
(There were also rumors that a couple of very attractive well built ladies also received rides in the back seat of the SU-27s.
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(Another side note; my youngest son still has Soviet pilot wings, patches and an impressive Soviet Aircraft Commander's hat that he traded all of his baseball caps for. I can also tell you that there are a couple of United States Marshal Service Command Pilot wings floating around somewhere in Russia, mine. Also a lot of patches (badges) from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department and US Marshal Service.)