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'Putin Force One': Inside Russia's presidential aircraft equipped with gold toilets, anti-missile lasers

Vladimir Putin flies on a five wide-bodied Ilyushin Il-96-300PU aircraft known officially as 'Plane No. 1' and unofficially as 'Putin Force One'

Everything about Russia is impossibly large. In recent times, we have come across Russian oligarchs' most extravagant superyachts which span the length of a football field and come outfitted with helipads and swimming pools. So, it should be no surprise that Russian President Vladimir Putin flies in $504m 'Putin Force One' in style. 

Vladimir Putin flies on a five wide-bodied Ilyushin Il-96-300PU aircraft known officially as 'Plane No. 1' and unofficially as 'Putin Force One.' Reports suggest that at least two planes are deployed on every presidential trip - one carrying the president, and the other transporting Putin's entourage to act as a decoy. Rumors say that when he's ready to travel, all five aircrafts are fueled up and prepared to leave, at which point Putin selects one at random on which to travel. Each of the aircraft is more than a match for the US presidential aircraft, Air Force One and comes armed with a terrifying array of toys.

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Russian President's plane is designed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex and manufactured by the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association. As per the designer's official website, the plane is powered by four jet engines boasting a fuselage wide enough to accommodate two passenger aisles with seven or more seats abreast. The jet engines are produced by engine manufacturer Aviadvigatel and are also used on the Tupolev Tu-204 and Tupolev Tu-214 series, two of the most common commercial planes in Russia and broadly similar to the Boeing 757. 

In classic Russian style, Putin's wings are a tad bigger than Joe Biden's, coming in at a massive 60.11 m helping the plane to hit top speeds of up to 560mph, reports aerotime. Putin's plane is also equipped with all the latest security attachments including anti-missile lasers, heavy radiation shielding and electronic warfare suites capable of jamming communications. And needless to say, the plane also serves as a command post from where Putin can launch a nuke from the air.

The Russian president has spared no expense when it comes to luxury and his warplane comes kitted out in all the absurd trappings of Russia's elite. The cabins are outfitted in luxurious white leather, walnut veneers and gold accents. The neoclassical styled interior is more akin to a luxury hotel than a plane, and Russia's coat of arms of the Presidential Standard is embossed on many walls and headrests. There's even a fully equipped gym on the plane. 

The crowning glory, however, is the presidential bathroom. The large washroom comes complete with a gold sink, a gold plated toilet seat and even a bidet. Controversy over the plane's interiors erupted in 2007 when a blog published 30 leaked pictures that showed aircraft was allegedly fitted with lavish golden bathrooms, as well as luxury areas for Putin's study, his aides and security personnel.