Putin takes part in test flight of nuclear bomber. Putin praises the "super technology": In Kazan, the Kremlin chief took part in a training flight of a modernized Tupolev.
The long-range bomber has a crew of four and can carry twelve cruise missiles or twelve short-range nuclear missiles. Putin is likely to want to present himself to the Russians as a strong commander in chief against the backdrop of his ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine. The image of the strong man is expected to give him a record result in the presidential election.