Putin orders two more ‘Doomsday’ planes that would allow him to control Russian forces

Vladimir Putin is to get two new ultramodern ‘Doomsday’ planes for use during a nuclear war.

The adapted Ilyushin 96-400M’s allow the Russian leader to control troops and missiles during an atomic catastrophe.

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector.

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes which are on permanent standby.

Vladimir Putin is to get two new ultramodern ‘Doomsday’ planes for use during a nuclear war

The adapted Ilyushin 96-400M's (pictured) allow the Russian leader to control troops and missiles during an atomic catastrophe

The adapted Ilyushin 96-400M’s (pictured) allow the Russian leader to control troops and missiles during an atomic catastrophe

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war.

The aircraft are accompanied by fighters and can be refuelled in midair.

‘The Russian Aerospace Forces will receive two air command posts based on the Il-96-400M,’ said the source.

‘One is now in production.’

The project is named Zveno-3S and the plane is being adapted from the new Il 96-400M at Voronezh Aviation Plant. 

‘The aircraft’s radio complex of the aircraft will make it possible to deliver orders to troops, strategic aviation, mobile and silo launchers, and submarines carrying strategic nuclear weapons within a radius of 6,000 km (3,728 miles),’ reported Moskovsky Komsomolets.

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war (Pictured: What the IL-96-400M will look like when it's finished)

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war (Pictured: What the IL-96-400M will look like when it’s finished)

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector

The first of the new airborne command and control planes is now under construction, said a source in the military-industrial sector

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes (pictured) which are on permanent standby

The flying Kremlin command aircraft will replace the existing Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdomes (pictured) which are on permanent standby

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war (pictured: An IL-80 in Tolmachevo airport, Novosibirsk, in 2016)

The planes are designed for the president and other top military, security and ministerial officials in the event of nuclear war (pictured: An IL-80 in Tolmachevo airport, Novosibirsk, in 2016) 

A Russian Doomsday IL-80 plane is pictured during a Victory Day parade in Moscow. The flight ranges of the new aircraft will double compared with the existing Doomsday aircraft

A Russian Doomsday IL-80 plane is pictured during a Victory Day parade in Moscow. The flight ranges of the new aircraft will double compared with the existing Doomsday aircraft 

The flight ranges will double compared with the existing Doomsday aircraft.

In an embarrassing security lapse, one of the four existing planes was infiltrated and robbed as it was undergoing a refit Russian city Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov.

Some 39 pieces of radio equipment were stolen after a cargo hatch was opened.

The equipment contained precious metals gold and platinum which is seen as a possible motive for the theft.

In an embarrassing security lapse, one of the four existing planes was infiltrated and robbed as it was undergoing a refit Russian city Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov. Local taxi driver Zhora Khachunts (pictured), 36, is detained over the embarrassing heist. He he complains he has been made a 'scapegoat' for the major security breach and theft, and denies any involvement

In an embarrassing security lapse, one of the four existing planes was infiltrated and robbed as it was undergoing a refit Russian city Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov. Local taxi driver Zhora Khachunts (pictured), 36, is detained over the embarrassing heist. He he complains he has been made a ‘scapegoat’ for the major security breach and theft, and denies any involvement

The new Russian Doomsday plane, the IL-96-400M, is pictured under construction at the Voronezh Aviation Plant in May 2020

The new Russian Doomsday plane, the IL-96-400M, is pictured under construction at the Voronezh Aviation Plant in May 2020 

It weighed several kilograms.

Local taxi driver Zhora Khachunts, 36, is detained over the embarrassing heist.

But he complains he has been made a ‘scapegoat’ for the major security breach and theft, and denies any involvement.

The US equivalent are the Boeing E-4B planes based on the 747 airliner.

Beriev Aircraft Company's airfield in Taganrog where the Doomsday plane parked

Beriev Aircraft Company’s airfield in Taganrog where the Doomsday plane parked

IL-80 pictured in Tolmachevo airport, Novosibirsk, in 2016 in the snow

IL-80 pictured in Tolmachevo airport, Novosibirsk, in 2016 in the snow

The new Russian doomsday plane is under construction at the Voronezh Aviation Plant in May 2020

The new Russian doomsday plane is under construction at the Voronezh Aviation Plant in May 2020

Beriev Aircraft Company in Taganrog which was to repair the Doomsday plane IL-80 and on which territory was committed the theft of equipment

Beriev Aircraft Company in Taganrog which was to repair the Doomsday plane IL-80 and on which territory was committed the theft of equipment 

A general view of the main building of the Voronezh Aviation Plant is pictured, where the new Doomsday plane is under construction

A general view of the main building of the Voronezh Aviation Plant is pictured, where the new Doomsday plane is under construction