Bean’s points are well taken. I would add that, on R1, I’m not too particularly concerned about slowing the Japanese advance – it’ll take a few turns to get going anyway, by which time I will have purchased armor to more than replace the 3 I lost in Ukraine. Japan also has other priorities – like taking the islands or reinforcing Egypt – which will detract from their advance to Moscow. Optimally, by the time Japan is a factor in East Asia, British help will have already arrived.
Getting back to Ukraine, it’s either kill those suckers now while you can (and yes, I’ll take the even trade) or hand Germany a stick with which she will repeatedly hit the Allies over the head – namely, that fighter. Whether it’s Allied shipping or trading territories with Russia, that extra fighter is VERY useful to Germany.
And Jenn, it’s 3 tanks – who cares? It’s R1 for jeeper’s sake. You got plenty of time to replace them . . .