Vladimir Putin has sent a chilling reminder of Russia's nuclear capabilities by unveiling the world's largest supersonic bomber.
Nicknamed 'the White Swan', the Tupolev Tu-160 aircraft underwent a series of tests on its maiden flight on Monday while equipped with "Dagger" missiles.
The strategic bomber can carry KH-47M2 Kinzhal missiles – known as “dagger” or “killjoy” because of their hypersonic nuclear capabilities.
With a range of over 1,200 miles, they are capable of hitting potential targets across Ukraine and beyond.
The Kinzhal missile reaches speeds high enough to blast through reinforced defences and it can be loaded with 1,000 pounds of explosives or a nuclear warhead.
The Sun reported that a statement made by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation said: "Another upgraded Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber developed by the Tupolev Company performed its debut flight."
The plane, which is the heaviest warplane capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles in the world, had its stability, operating capacity and control in the air tested as the pilots carried out a series of manoeuvres.
Aviation expert Yury Gavrilov said the aircraft's upgrades mainly centre on the electronic systems.
He said in quotes reported by The Sun: “As part of the project to modernise the aircraft, technicians created a free inertial navigation system, electronic warfare complex, fuel systems, as well as weapons control systems.”
Russia also released footage of the new Avangard missile being readied for use.
Putin previously described the Avangard as “like a meteorite” and “invincible”.
Putin warned: “The Avangard is invulnerable to intercept by any existing and prospective missile defence means of the potential adversary.”
The latest footage continues a recent Russian strategy of boasting about firepower despite the conflict in Ukraine continuing to drag on.
Putin is also planning to send clowns to Ukraine in a bid to boost the flagging morale of Russian troops.
Russia's defence ministry is putting together a creative brigade of artists to send to the frontline with a view to improving the mood among soldiers as the conflict nears the one-year mark.
The brigade will consist of actors, circus performers, musicians and opera singers who will perform shows, with those involved having either volunteered for military duty or drafted under Putin's mobilisation of reservists.
A Russian state media press release announcing the formation of the brigade included an image of a performer juggling several balls.
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