From ‘Flying Kremlin’ to Aurus Senat: How Putin’s plane and car are one of a kind

Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi for a brief but important 30-hour visit for the 23rd annual India–Russia summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is his first trip to India in four years and the first since Russia’s military action in Ukraine began in 2022, giving the meeting significant geopolitical importance. Ahead of his arrival, Putin said he hopes to “take India-Russia ties to a new level.”

As one of the world’s most closely guarded leaders, Putin travels with two signature symbols of his security and power, his customised presidential aircraft, often called the “Flying Kremlin,” and his armoured Aurus Senat limousine.

Here’s what we know about both.

All about Putin’s flying fortress: ‘Flying Kremlin’

The Russian leader’s aircraft, Ilyushin Il-96-300, widely known as the “Flying Kremlin,” traces its roots to the Soviet era. It was developed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau in the 1980s as a modern successor to the Il-86 airliner.

Originally designed for long-haul commercial and governmental flights, its first flight took place on September 28, 1988, with Russian certification following on December 29, 1992. The aircraft entered service in July 1993, powered by four Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan engines, each producing 35,000 pounds of thrust.

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The presidential version, called the Il-96-300PU, with “PU” standing for Punkt Upravleniya or “command post”,  was introduced in the early 2000s and tailored for VIP transport.

Security is a top priority, with features including secure communications, missile defence countermeasures, and even a nuclear command button for emergencies. Advanced avionics include six multi-function LCD displays, a glass cockpit, fly-by-wire controls, and winglets for better efficiency.

Inside, the aircraft resembles a flying palace rather than a conventional airplane. It houses conference rooms, private offices, bedrooms, and palatial fittings like gold-plated accents and fine woodwork.

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The Il-96-300PU can carry up to 262 passengers in a two-class layout, combining state-of-the-art security and communications with luxurious comfort, making it a fully mobile Kremlin in the sky.

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All about Putin’s ‘impregnable’ car: Aurus Senat

The Aurus Senat is Russia’s state-built luxury limousine, created specifically for the President and other top officials. Often referred to as the “Russian Rolls-Royce,” it stands out with its heavy armoured body, blackout windows, and a plush, tech-loaded interior.

Aurus itself is a relatively new name in the luxury car world. The brand name comes from a mix of ‘Au’ (Aurum, Latin for gold) and ‘Rus’ (for Russia).

Before this homegrown model was introduced, Putin travelled in the Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman. But eventually, Moscow shifted away from foreign-made state cars and launched the Kortezh project, a programme aimed at building ultra-luxury, fully armoured official vehicles within Russia.

The standard Aurus Senat uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that produces around 598 hp, paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. There is also a V12 hybrid version in development. This limousine can go from 0 to 100 km/h in about six seconds and can touch a top speed of roughly 249 km/h.

The Senat is built like a rolling fortress. Its armour can withstand armour-piercing bullets and even grenade blasts. The car comes with run-flat tyres, reinforced 6 cm-thick glass, emergency escape options, and protection systems cleared by Russia’s Federal Protective Service.

At nearly 7 metres long and weighing several tonnes, the vehicle is packed with additional safety layers, including an independent oxygen supply in case of chemical attacks, a fire suppression system, and what is essentially a mini command centre inside. Its armour meets VR10 ballistic standards and uses specialised composite materials, reports News18.

The vehicles’ mass production began in 2021 at Yelabuga, and the limousine has since featured in several high-profile diplomatic moments. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, PM Narendra Modi and Putin reportedly spent over an hour inside the car, likely discussing key geopolitical issues.

In 2024, Russia even gifted one of these limousines to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

A civilian version of the Senat is available to the public, but production is limited, only about 120 units are made each year. Each one costs around 18 million roubles, which is roughly Rs 2.5 crore.

Aurus Motors also plans to expand the Kortezh series further by adding SUVs and vans in the coming years, with updated models expected down the line.

With input from agencies