The aircraft number RA-64531, like other aircraft of this class, is operated by the special flight squadron “Rossiya” and is one of the most protected airborne command post aircraft.
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The “Tu-214PU” aircraft (PU stands for “punkt upravlenija”, meaning “control point”) is equipped with data transmission nodes with closed strategic communication systems, allowing coordination of government and military operations in crisis situations. It is designed to be operated even under increased threat conditions, ensuring uninterrupted control, notes the newspaper – for this reason it is called the Russian “last day plane” – by analogy with the US presidential aircraft.
Then flew to Beijing
Russia and Iran did not disclose the mission’s objectives and composition. However, on Monday evening the aircraft flew to Beijing – a few hours before the US began massive bombings of military targets in Iran. This operation and subsequent strikes will weaken the Iranian military’s ability to attack civilian shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, stated the US Central Command.
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Last week Iran and the US resumed exchanges of strikes over disputes about whether Tehran should control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire, for which the countries made a preliminary agreement a month ago, is terminated. Over the weekend he sent a letter dated July 10 to Congress, announcing the resumption of military actions against Iran.
In March, when the armed conflict between the two countries reached its peak, Moscow began providing Tehran with data on the deployment of US and allied military facilities in the Middle East, so that it could carry out precise strikes against them.
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