> Yes, but you'll note that the article you've shared doesn't unequivocally and unambiguously state that only some of the brakes are being disabled: they imply it, with some handwavey talk about redundancy of systems, but they don't specifically say that that's what's actually happening in this specific situation. Whereas when I look at specialist aviation sites, rather than mainstream news, it's clearly stated that what's being talked about is complete disabling of all wheel braking systems.

Original article refers to "leaked memo". There's not a single proof that such memo exists, that it was circulating inside Aeroflot, that it was translated correctly either by the original site or Moscow Times. It could be created for propaganda reasons ("Ukraine has lost counteroffensive, but Russian airplanes will start falling out of the skies!") out of thin air.

> And, yes, aircraft can safely land without brakes (although they might be hard-pressed to safely abort a takeoff). But what happens after that 10-day permitted period the article discusses?

Brake pads would be replaced or the plane wouldn't be allowed to fly. It's not a big problem to buy replacements in China or UAE or some other country. We have no problems buying anything produced in US and EU, although for somewhat higher price than before.

Also, I'm pretty sure that we can produce brake pads domestically. We still have some remnants of the aircraft industry although West fought hard to kill it in the last 30 yars. And making brake pads is not a rocket science. It's pretty simple part even for an airplane.

> and I'm sure it's not beyond the wit of Russian industrial espionage to gain plans, or reverse-engineer (especially with the help of China), and manufacture locally sourced replacement parts

We are talking about brake pads here. It's not like you need to steal some plans to make them. It's basically a metal plate with some abrasive material attached to it. Probably the simplest part of the airplane.