Russia’s so-called “Doomsday Plane” – used by Vladimir Putin in the event of a nuclear attack.
The Ilushin-80 was carrying out maintenance at an airfield in Taganrog, southern Russia, when a thief struck, crashed into a cargo hatch and swiped gear worth 13 13,600, the Moscow Times reported.
Shoes and fingerprints were found inside the plane.
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Paxov said the robbery was a “state of emergency” and promised that “steps will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future.”
The Interior Ministry has not clarified whether the theft took place.
The break was first seen last Friday. Irty electric electric units were removed.
Russian military experts speculated that the gear was stolen because it contained gold and platinum.
At the end of the Cold War the Soviet jet was converted from a top secret aircraft to an air command post for high-ranking officers to keep their troops in control during emergencies.
It is one of four planes built to withstand electromagnetic pulses and had little windows to protect its passengers from a nuclear explosion, the Moscow Times reported.
The first such aircraft is believed to have flown in 1985.
A dozen people were questioned as part of the theft investigation, RN-TV reported this week. The network said officers with access to the airfield could be responsible for the breach.
About 700 miles south of Moscow is the home of Taganrog, Berryv Aircraft Company, a state-controlled enterprise.
Barrie reported the theft to police last week.
The Interior Ministry and the Berryave agency France-Press declined to comment.
With post wire
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