&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "‘Flying Kremlin’? Inside Putin's lavish Ilyushin Il-96 plane. Features may amaze you")
Russian President Vladimir Putin reached Alaska for the summit with his American counterpart Donald Trump in his modified Il-96-300PU, the Russian answer to the US VC-25A “Air Force One.” The aircraft is known as "flying Kremlin" and the term is justified based on the luxurious inside of the aircraft.
The details
The Ilyushin Il-96-300 is a long-range airliner with a wide-body . It is used for presidential and diplomatic missions. The plane was designed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau as a successor to the Il-86, intended to serve both commercial aviation and state transport.
The maiden flight of the aircraft took place on September 28, 1988. Russia gave the certificate to the plane on December 29, 1992. The Il-96-300 officially entered service in July 1993, powered by four Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan engines, each capable of generating up to 35,000 pounds of thrust.
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The version of the aircraft that Putin uses is the Il-96-300PU, with “PU” standing for Punkt Upravleniya, or “command post." It has been extensively modified for VIP use, national security, and in-flight command capabilities.
Also read:Scare tactic? B-2 bomber, fighter jets buzz Putin as he arrives for summit with Trump on Ukraine war
Inside the aircraft
The interiror of the plane is far beyond being functional as it has lavish and fortified, blending state-of-the-art communications with palatial luxury.
In contrast to the more restrained interiors of the American Air Force One, Russia's presidential aircraft features gold-plated fittings, intricate woodwork, and high-end décor, features that reportedly match Donald Trump’s personal taste more than his own presidential jet.
