What is known about the Il-80

The converted Ilyushin Il-80 military aircraft was spotted over the Russian capital during rehearsals for the big military parade on “Victory Day” in Moscow

Along with fighter jets and long-range nuclear-capable bombers, the machine was to be part of an air show to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. But on Monday, the day of the arms show, the Russian leadership surprisingly canceled the airborne part of the parade. “Because of the weather,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

It would have been the aircraft type’s first appearance at a “Victory Day” military parade since 2010, as the Russian Defense Ministry announced in advance. But what makes the plane, which has been nicknamed “doomsday plane” and “Flying Kremlin”, so special?

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