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According to the New York Times, during his trip to North Korea and Vietnam from June 18 to 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin used an Ilyushin Il-96-300PU aircraft. This is a variant of the Il-96 commercial aircraft series developed and manufactured by Russia itself.
According to data from the global flight tracking website Flightradar24, at 21:34 on June 18th (Yakutsk time, Russia), three Ilyushin Il-96-300PU aircraft successively departed from here to Pyongyang (North Korea).
The only private jet trusted by the Russian president.
There's a simple explanation for why the president prefers the Ilyushin Il-96. This aircraft was once considered Russia's most promising design and arguably the pinnacle of Russian aircraft manufacturing. However, it was too expensive for airlines, as its four engines required twice the fuel and maintenance costs compared to other aircraft.
The Ilyushin Il-96 is a large aircraft, measuring 55 meters in length and having a wingspan of 60 centimeters. It can reach speeds of up to 900 km/h and has four jet engines, whereas many aircraft used by foreign leaders typically have only two engines.
To ensure the safety of the Russian president, the Il-96-300PU is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system.
Outwardly, the Il-96-300PU doesn't look significantly different from the standard aircraft products of Rossiya, one of Russia's largest and oldest airlines and a subsidiary of Aeroflot.
In fact, this upgraded presidential aircraft has an extended range. During tests, the plane was able to travel 14,800 km in over 18 hours without refueling. The interior is luxuriously designed in a neoclassical style, featuring leather upholstery, walnut wood, and prominent gold accents.
In addition, the Il-96-300PU meets the highest standards of safety and communication for the Russian President, earning it the nickname "Flying Kremlin".
President Putin during a press conference held aboard his Il-96-300PU aircraft.
With specialized communication capabilities, the aircraft can transmit encrypted messages from any altitude to any point in the world using any communication channel.
The letters "PU" in the aircraft's name stand for Punkt Upravleniya (Russian for command point). Additionally, the President's aircraft is equipped with a "nuclear button." The Ilyushin Il-96-300PU also possesses state-of-the-art equipment to handle unexpected situations.
To ensure the safety of the Russian president, the Il-96-300PU is equipped with state-of-the-art security systems such as radar-jamming coatings and anti-aircraft defense systems. However, most of the equipment installed on this presidential aircraft is kept secret.
The living and working conditions inside the aircraft are truly no less luxurious than those in the Kremlin. The plane includes the President's private office, several meeting rooms, a conference room, a presidential relaxation room, a reception area, a mini-gym, a dining room, a bar, bathrooms, and a separate medical area with resuscitation and emergency equipment. All the decor is in bright colors, and the interior is adorned with embroidered panels made by skilled artisans.
The fully equipped private jet ensures a comfortable rest for Russian President Putin.
All Russian presidential aircraft have a service life of no more than 15 years after leaving the production line. At the end of this operational period, the aircraft are handed over to other agencies within the Russian government.
