Even new plane availability is not more than 70℅ at a time. That only 18 MIGs at given time. The carrier can take upto 40 planes. There is alot of space for additional operational planes. There are trained pilots and ground crew that are exclusive to Flanker. They need to be utilized .

Then why are the war hawks in Russia mad at Putin for not supporting the rebels in Ukraine ?

Putin is more sophisticated leader than warhawks. He is discrediting ukranians gov through sanctions and should he take some actions in future the willingness to fight by ukranians will be practically zero and 30 million ukranians will chose escape route to Europe. He need land control over Ukraine not the people.

More likely a regional war because the Shia would be uncomfortable to have a ISIS Sunni taking over Syria which will put its own existence into threat as their next target would be Iraq or Iran , After all the Syrian war is about GCC/Sunni/US versus Iran/Iraq/Russia kind of battle.

They are military prepared for techtonic shift. Buk-M3 is first supplied to southern military district.

http://www.interfax.com/news.asp?y=2016&m=10&d=2&pg=2
00:45 Most of missile brigades in Russia armed with Iskander-M systems – Ground Forces commander

http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12097845@egNews
Pilots of MiG-31 interceptors conducted air combat trainings in the stratosphere

http://rbth.com/defence/2016/04/12/russian-pilots-set-world-record-for-non-stop-mig-31-flight_584091
Russian pilots set world record for non-stop MiG-31 flight

April 12, 2016 Nikolai Litovkin, RBTH

Pilots cover a distance of nearly 5,000 miles.

Let them fend for themselves? Dammit, the Russian government doesn’t even try to cover up its involvement. It’s had soldiers captured by the Ukrainians well inside Ukraine, it’s provided artillery support to the rebels from inside Russia, serving Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine, Russian army vehicles have been filmed driving through Ukraine, Russia’s admitted that soldiers have fought in Ukraine but said they were ‘on holiday’ at the time – an excuse so thin it’s obvious it wasn’t even expected to be believed . . . I could go on. There’s a lot more.

Russia’s been right in it from the start, & hasn’t shown any sign of caring if the world knows.

Putin is very found of application of airpower. he attends more meeting related to aviation industrial complex and air shows than anything else. if there is direct Russian involvement you would have seen it the airpower. serving soldier? they can be any former soldiers or contractors. Not the professional contract serviceman. your logic always fails.

The word techtonic shift. Probably oil supply and currency.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/syria-peace-talks/russia-warns-terrible-consequences-if-u-s-attacks-syrian-government-n657946

You can’t make that call.
For many years the Mig-31 has operated quite below operational standard due to tear and wear. They had to design a complete new cockpit glass sinse the prod line had long close Same with spares for engines.
That does not mean the Mig-31 operate above originale requirement now!
If anything, they have manage to increase the durability of the Mig, which I guess is a quality of its own.

I didnot made this call. Look at up the RT report for altitude and inteecept.MIG-31 will have to operate well above the original requirement as missile and radar technology in Flanker advanced enough that original operational requirements will make MIG-31 obsolete and redundant.

For the benefit of everyone, please go! or stop clutter the thread with your Russia stronk propaganda

this how MIG-31 upgraded with 21st century equipment should operate not based on manual written in 1970s. its your bias that you cant digest the latest news.