Yak-38s, aircraft identification, and peacetime interception

Without aircraft of their own, Soviet ships sometimes had to wait until an approaching aircraft entered visual range before positively identifying it. Identification mattered both to avoid attacking friendly aircraft and to prevent an unwanted war. Kiev's Yak-38s could investigate contacts, fly alongside reconnaissance aircraft, and signal them away from exercises. Close flying also created collision risks, so the practice was no guarantee of safety. Its political attraction in this argument was that an apparent accident could leave responsibility disputed, whereas deliberately shooting down a snooper was harder to explain away. The useful peacetime capability was controlling an encounter through graduated pressure despite the Forger's limited prospects against Western fighters.