Russian President Vladimir Putin recently took a significant step to showcase his country's military capabilities and his leadership strength by flying in a co-pilot's seat of the new Tu-160M, a nuclear-capable strategic bomber, ahead of next month's election. During the flight, Putin praised the aircraft's equipment, stating, "The equipment is excellent! It can be accepted into the Armed Forces," indicating its readiness for service. The flight is seen as part of a broader effort to bolster Putin's image domestically. Additionally, Putin highlighted the modernization of Russia's strategic nuclear forces, stating that 95% had been upgraded, and mentioned the Air Force's acquisition of four new supersonic nuclear-capable bombers, known as the Tu-160M strategic missile carrier. This demonstration of military might comes at a time when the conflict in Ukraine seems to be evolving in Russia's favor.
Putin flew on one of Russia’s newest strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, a show of military might as the war in Ukraine appears to be turning in his favor https://t.co/xLYMjHcQhD
Video shows Putin flying nuclear bomber https://t.co/p1wbWt8wwD https://t.co/xGT2ZKcy3B
🤥 Putin boasts about upgraded nuclear weapons in Defender of the Fatherland Day address https://t.co/savMMy32WX
President Vladimir Putin said that 95% of Russia's strategic nuclear forces had been modernized and that the Air Force had just taken delivery of four new supersonic nuclear-capable bombers https://t.co/5jQuWcyvXV
President Putin got to test out the Tu-160M strategic missile carrier before he officially greenlighted the plane to enter service Details: https://t.co/Tkvn3Qdzj8 https://t.co/6YDFKhiEIn
Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Thursday took a co-pilot's seat in a nuclear-capable strategic bomber on a flight that appeared aimed at bolstering his image ahead of next month's election he's all but certain to win. https://t.co/ZuhAgFJwOh
Putin rides nuclear-capable bomber in apparent 'image bolstering' trip ahead of election https://t.co/IzqRpP6ESE
“The equipment is excellent! It can be accepted into the Armed Forces,” Putin about flying on the new Tu-160M. https://t.co/dNALKjlKxK