Putin on flight on Tu-160M bomber: Excellent plane, can be commissioned for Armed Forces

KAZAN. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Following a flight on an upgraded Tupolev Tu-160M strategic bomber on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin highly praised the plane and said it can well be commissioned for the Armed Forces.

"This is an excellent plane. Indeed, it belongs to a new generation. As I've told the captain and am going to tell the Defense Ministry leadership again: of course, it can be put into service with the Armed Forces," Putin told journalists.

"Indeed, this is a new kind of aircraft in many respects. It's better controlled, which even a nonprofessional can see with the naked eye. It's highly reliable and perfectly armed. This is a new plane," Putin said when asked about his impressions from the Tu-160M compared to its previous version he was flown on 19 years before.

Even though the Tu-160M is a military plane, it has improved conditions for the crew, he said.

"There is a compartment where the crewmembers can have some rest if necessary," Putin said.