Putin takes co-pilot’s seat during flight of nuclear-capable bomber
The flight seemed to be intended to send a reminder of Russia’s nuclear might amid soaring tensions with the West over fighting in Ukraine.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken the co-pilot’s seat in a nuclear-capable strategic bomber on a flight that appeared to be aimed at bolstering his image ahead of an election next month he is all but certain to win.
Mr Putin’s 30-minute flight in a Tu-160M supersonic strategic bomber also seemed to be intended to send a reminder of Russia’s nuclear might amid soaring tensions with the West over fighting in Ukraine.
Mr Putin, 71, who is running as an independent candidate, relies on a tight control over Russia’s political system that he has established during 24 years in power.
Friday’s death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny sent a chilling reminder of the Kremlin’s ruthless crackdown on dissent and dealt a heavy blow to the beleaguered Russian opposition.
![Vladimir Putin in the co-pilot’s seat of the plane](http://content.assets.pressassociation.io/AP/1970/01/01/2c7ece677d7f436a8c9680c5b8e46f68.jpg?w=640)
The plant has received state orders to produce a modernised version of the Tu-160 bomber that first flew in the 1980s and was code-named Blackjack by Nato.
The aircraft Mr Putin flew was one of the first such revamped bombers to be built, equipped with new engines and avionics and designated Tu-160M.
Speaking to reporters after the flight, Mr Putin praised the new aircraft as “excellent”, noting that it has big improvements compared with the initial version.
![A strategic bomber with Vladimir Putin on board takes off form an airfield in Kazan, Russia](http://content.assets.pressassociation.io/AP/2024/02/22/7ef579d147834f888a718a60e95126e0.jpg?w=640)
As part of the Kremlin efforts to project an image of an action-loving and physically strong leader, Mr Putin also took a co-pilot’s seat in an amphibious plane, flew a paraglider and drove a racing car and heavy trucks.
He also drove a heavy truck to a meeting in Kazan on Thursday, one of a series of campaign trips ahead of the presidential election on March 15-17.
With prominent critics who could challenge him either jailed or living abroad and most independent media banned, Mr Putin’s re-election is all but assured. He faces a token opposition from three other candidates nominated by Kremlin-friendly parties represented in parliament.