The Ilyushin Il-80 or Flying Kremlin is command and control aircraft that Vladimir Putin will be on if his official residence in Moscow is compromised. Called the Doomsday plane will be up and flying if NATO forces initiate a nuclear attack on Russia. Events in Ukraine with the allies not showing quarter draws concern that World War 3 will happen.
Russia's Doomsday Aircraft
The Ilyushin Il-80 can be seen flying low over the city's outskirts in a video shot over Moscow. But, Russian officials have stated that the plane will do a low flypast for Monday's traditional Victory Day celebration in Red Square. It is currently conducting rehearsals, noted the Daily Mail.
A huge Soviet-era aircraft called the Flying Kremlin has been absent since the 2010 Victory Day commemoration; others say that Putin has ordered it to fly as a message to the west in an ominous note, the Eurasian Times reported.
Flying alongside the Il-80 Maxdome are two MiG-29s as it passes over St. Basils Cathedral; other aerial units to fly with it are the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 'White Swan', capable of carrying nuclear missiles. A display to the US and NATO that the Russian Federation is not fooling around this time.
The 5th generation Su-57 stealth fighter and T-22M3 long-range bombers are added attractions as reminders that Putin is not to be trifled with.
According to the Defense Ministry, eight MiG-29SMT fighter jets will form the letter 'Z' as support for their forces trying to rid the Donbas of Neo-Nazis in a special operation.
Metro UK says the Ilyushin Il-80 'Doomsday plane' is a sign that all the talk of using nukes is not bluster; they will be if deemed necessary.
A chilling message on Kremlin state television that starting a Third World War is not improbable; everyone dies someday. A replacement of the Il-80 Maxdome is the newer Ilyushin 96-400Ms with more capability to exert command in a nuclear attack.
Two more command planes are getting developed for all senior military and political leaders, mentioned Defense News. They are still getting built and won't be ready yet.
The Il-96-400M is similar to Air Force One, an improved variant of the civilian airliner Il-96, which is what President Vladimir Putin likes to ride in.
In 2020, one of the four planes got robbed while in maintenance in the Russian city of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov. Stolen were 39 radio units with gold and platinum, which was the objective, but the culprit was caught and claimed he was innocent, according to BBC.
The Ilyushin Il-80
Flying in 1985 for the first time and delivered in 1987 with major modification; it was known to the west only in 1992. These doomsday planes are different from civilian models, their call name is Maxdome, but others call it Camber (II-86s civilian model) nickname. It has no windows except for the cockpit, which has a baffle.
Shielded from EMPS or nuclear blasts with fewer upper decks and a single airstair left, equipped with a big satellite communications canoe and dual antennas. It has more specialized communication gear on it.
The Ilyushin Il-80 has more equipment on its engines; for better capability and can refuel with a probe in midair. This doomsday plane is equipped to command even in a nuclear strike.
