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Russian President Vladimir Putin Reached India’s capital New Delhi on Thursday night, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself welcomed him, breaking the protocol, at Palam Airport. But another thing became a big topic of discussion among the people at the airport – Putin’s high-tech, super-security aircraft Ilyushin IL-96, which the world calls ‘Flying Fortress’.

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The aircraft’s powerful technology and its safety features always remain in the headlines, but this time people’s attention was drawn to one word written on its body – ‘Россия’. Thousands of people on social media started searching in which language it is written, what it means, and why it is not written in English. Let us understand the whole secret of ‘Rossiya’.

Why did ‘Rossiya’ attract people’s attention?

When Putin’s plane landed in India, the word ‘Россия’ written in big letters on its fuselage became visible to everyone. Within no time it started trending on social media. Many users asked- “Is this Russia written in Russian?” And the discussion on this word intensified on the internet.

What does ‘Rosiya’ mean?

‘Rossiya’ written on Putin’s special presidential plane IL-96 is actually a Russian word. It is pronounced ‘Rasia’, which means Russia. That means ‘RUSSIA’ in English becomes ‘Россия’ in the form of Russian language.

In which script is ‘Россия’ written?

This word is written in Cyrillic Script. This script is used in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia and many former Soviet countries. Just as ‘Bharat’ is written in Devanagari script in India and ‘India’ in English, similarly Russia uses its native language and script on its military and government aircraft.

Why is ‘RUSSIA’ not written on planes in English?

Russia is very strict about its language, identity and national symbols. According to government protocol, only Russian language is used on the President’s aircraft, vehicles and symbols. That’s why ‘Россия’ is written in capital letters on the plane in Cyrillic – a symbol of their strategic identity and sovereignty.

How is Putin’s IL-96 – ‘Flying Fortress’?

Russia’s IL-96-300PU is counted among the most secure and mysterious presidential aircraft in the world. Its features make it no less than a mobile war-bunker.

1. Electronic warfare system to confuse missiles

This aircraft is equipped with an advanced electronic defense system which confuses incoming missiles and diverts them.

2. Airborne Command Center

There is a mini ‘command center’ inside the plane, from where Putin can give direct orders to the Russian army even during war.

3. Encrypted Communication

The special communication system installed in it allows Putin to have secure, encrypted conversations with any corner of the world. This is the reason why it is considered equivalent to Russia’s ‘nuclear football’.

4. Ability to jam enemy radar

The defense jammers installed in it can disrupt the enemy’s surveillance and communication systems.

5. Extreme luxury and high-security interior

From inside it is like a luxury hotel, but in terms of security, it is considered as strong as a bunker on the ground.

Ability to fly long distances non-stop

The IL-96-300PU has crossed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without stopping.

This capability shows that the President of Russia can project his strategic power in any part of the world.