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All of the aircraft had superior radio and navigational equipment, altitude performance and better range so needed in air defence duties. They were send there because Soviet industry was unable to provide any capable design.
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Judging by Mikoyan's line of high altitude designs I'm less inclined to believe that statement. Industrial output was aimed at maximising the output of certain types of aircraft and engine to the detriment of all other designs. That other designs were capable or perhaps even superior didn't matter, the choice was made at the political level (often Stalin himself).
But even if such aircraft were produced, like the Mig-3 with superior high altitude performance, they were often limited to the same tactical doctrine as the more orthodox designs, low to medium altitude operation.
That Soviet industry could learn from other nations and did copy (adopt) foreign design is a fact, but that can easily be a universal statement for any industrial nation, but that they weren't capable of designing (or producing) their own solutions is IMHO incorrect.