A conspiracy theory... didn't take long
I totally agree with you. Some of americas finest aviators, a "fine" girl to fly, heaps of bitumen to scratch, a cold day. This deluxe combo decides to fly "chinese" cargo on a Z plate into a former soviet state within 2,500nm range.
Those who are involved in -F ops know that the likes of FRU, TAS, GYD amongst others are used as FUEL stops. MZFW PVG-Europe ain't gonna work non-stop.
Good grief, I suppose this is Bush's fault too.