Vladimir Putin taunts West with flight on ex-Soviet nuclear-capable bomber

Russian President Vladimir Putin flew on a modernized Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber on Thursday (February 22) in a move likely to be seen in the West as a pointed reminder of Moscow’s nuclear capabilities. The giant swing-wing plane, codenamed “Blackjacks“ by military alliance NATO, is a modernized version of a Cold War-era bomber that the former Soviet Union would have deployed in the event of nuclear war to deliver weapons at long distances. Putin, who is expected to easily win another six-year term next month, made the flight at a time when Moscow and the West are at odds over Russia’s war in Ukraine and the death in prison of opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Read related: How Putin’s kill squads roam free across Europe with hitmen in Spain, chemical attacks in UK and executions in Germany The Sun delivers breaking news, latest gossip and incredible exclusives around the world with hubs in London, New York, Scotland and Ireland. Covering topics from news, money and sport along with our famous Fabulous Magazine, The Sun is the biggest news brand in the UK and one of the fastest growing news sites in the US. Stay tuned for video clips across the biggest news stories and segments from The Sun’s expert journalists. Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know. Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on X: Follow The Sun on TikTok: @thesun Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: #thesun #russia #putin