00:00For a moment, imagine stepping out for work, onto a helipad, where your personal helicopter awaits.
00:05Imagine having the most impressive, extensive and bulletproof fleet of vehicles globally,
00:11from land to sea to high above the sky.
00:14Vladimir Putin likes to travel in style, but his transportation methods feature some of the most
00:19advanced security and communications technology in the world.
00:23Not only is there luxury, but plenty of countermeasures that keep the Russian
00:27President comfortably out of harm's way.
00:30This is Luxury Zone.
00:31Today, we will be looking at how style meets security in the Russian President's fleet.
00:37Whether by land, air or sea, Vladimir Putin is known to not hold back or skimp out
00:42when it comes to his own safety or ability to control, no matter where he is.
00:47There are some incredible machines that Putin has crafted his fleet with.
00:51Make sure you watch to the end to see what we have in store.
00:55Powerful leaders all over the world go to extraordinary lengths to protect themselves
00:59from danger.
01:00Still, Putin takes extra care to keep the peace of mind that he knows he is safe.
01:05As someone who has experienced numerous assassination attempts, it only makes sense
01:09that he puts quite a bit into keeping himself safe and reinforced, no matter what.
01:14For Vladimir Putin, there is no better way to ensure his safety than to be escorted by
01:19highly trained armed guards to his personal helicopter.
01:22This is his daily driver, and it takes him anywhere he needs to go.
01:26Since its original introduction during the Cold War, the Mi-8's capable and comparatively
01:32simple machinery continues to be produced in dozens of formats for air arms worldwide.
01:37Over 17,000 have been built in the same way, making it the most prevalent helicopter.
01:43Despite falling victim to these helicopters' deadlier side even in Afghanistan, they continue
01:47to operate updated versions instead of Western counterparts, like the UH-60 Black Hawk.
01:53Decades later, the Mi-8 in this updated model continues to be the transport helicopter of
01:59choice for the Russian military and Vladimir Putin himself.
02:02While not the usual go-to of presidents, Putin acts as the exception, preferring his personal
02:07helicopter over other, fancier modes of transportation.
02:11Outfitted for VVIP use, the HipH can be recognized for its square, rather than round,
02:17windows.
02:17They are usually bristling with elongated external fuel tanks, additional auxiliary
02:22power units, and Antenna Farm's infrared countermeasures.
02:25Currently, the countermeasures include infrared flares, but can also have a directed laser
02:30countermeasure system, like the Russian-built President-S.
02:34Reminiscent of the US's Marine-1, these are outfitted with oversized club chairs,
02:39high-end wood trims, additional sofa seating, a restroom, and in-flight video and communication
02:45systems.
02:46Additionally, the rear doors are touted as retained for cargo and luggage.
02:50It has everything Putin would need on his daily commute, and much more.
02:54The presidential Mi-8 racks up an exponential price tag.
02:58Still, Putin has at least two in his mystery fleet.
03:01If he's going for more distanced flying, Putin also has the Russian version of Air
03:06Force One, his star being the carefully engineered IL-96-300PU airliner.
03:13These are modified from stock model IL-96s built in Russia, but using parts from England
03:20to create an engineering spectacle.
03:22Between armed guards and high-tech security features, the Ilyushin IL-96 functions as
03:28an airborne office, providing crucial and immediate access to a control panel for the
03:34Russian President.
03:35Overseeing the army, corresponding with intelligence, and keeping an eye on nuclear weapons are
03:40just part of the President's job, and it's well-suited for the presidential IL-96.
03:45If he needs to, Putin can comfortably command troop movements, speak with intelligence,
03:50and make nuclear attacks without ever stepping foot from his luxurious cabin.
03:55The presidential air fleet includes an aircraft with equipment for monitoring and controlling
04:00Russia's vast nuclear arsenal.
04:02To add to this, it has an array of computers that can send specially encrypted messages
04:07from any altitude on Earth.
04:09This ensures Putin can communicate quickly to just about anyone, without fear of that
04:15message going anywhere else.
04:17The IL-96 is designed to withstand the intense stress of sudden maneuvers and emergency landings
04:24for security and safety purposes.
04:26It's speculated that the plane also has a secret escape capsule, allowing the Russian
04:31President to escape the aircraft easily and efficiently if anything goes wrong up in the
04:36air.
04:36His plane features a fully equipped gym and spacious bedroom.
04:40The furniture is a neoclassical style, with gold and white leather accents throughout.
04:45Many of the designs are not publicized to the fullest extent, which is just one of the
04:49many measures to help ensure there is always a backup plan.
04:53It doesn't matter if it's a disaster or an attack, there is always a plan for emergency
04:58measures.
04:59What is perhaps the most notable and impressive of the features and safety measures?
05:03Putin's mode and method of travel are rarely known until departure.
05:07This reportedly helps quell attacks with a 75% chance of guessing wrong.
05:12Putin doesn't compromise on comfort when he isn't up in the air because he's on
05:17the ground.
05:17In fact, the Russian presidential state car is among one of the most luxurious and advanced
05:23on Earth.
05:24This Aura Senat limousine has advanced communications and security features, bulletproof windows,
05:30chilled champagne, and leather seating worth tens of thousands of dollars.
05:35It was once a Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman, but was replaced with a Russian-built design
05:41in 2018 that Putin had personally pushed for.
05:44Just to get an idea of the car's advanced technology, it's bomb and bulletproof from
05:50all angles and equipped with a myriad of communication devices.
05:54It can drive 30 kilometers at 80 kilometers per hour, even if all four solid rubber tires
06:00are blown off.
06:02Not to mention, the automobile is often airlifted by equally well-protected aircraft.
06:07This is all not to mention Putin's driver, who undergoes rigorous vetting from the Russian
06:12Federal Security Service, is highly trained and qualified.
06:16In fact, to become a presidential driver, the training and skill that goes into it would
06:21take as long to become a surgeon.
06:23They undergo weekly practices and train with shooting while driving drills, how to protect
06:28the president in an emergency, and how to navigate through explosions.
06:32Putin has been known on occasion to get behind the wheel himself when he doesn't have a
06:36driver.
06:36He is said to own over 700 high-end cars, from his expensive luxurious limousine to
06:42extreme off-roaders.
06:43Cars like his Mercedes ML500, Gazelle limousine, Lada Vesta sedan, and a Lada Niva 4x4.
06:50While these cars are less common than his state vehicles, they're just a taste of what
06:55his extensive garage might have to offer.
06:57Putin may use it often, but he also likes to impress with his 269-foot superyacht called
07:03Graceful, outfitted with a crew of 24 with six luxurious cabins and two incredible VIP
07:10staterooms.
07:11The $73.2 million Pleasurecraft was initially built by Sevmash in Russia, with interiors
07:18and exteriors envisioned by H2 Yacht Design.
07:21There are soft cushioned sofas, glossy sleek surfaces, and a posh white marble bathroom.
07:26There appear to be multitudes of shelves for books in one office, along with a desk fronted
07:31with a stunning sailing boat painting.
07:33A second superyacht, the Scheherazade, is also said to be owned by Putin, though ownership
07:39is disputed.
07:40According to insider sources, this opulent watercraft has reportedly been estimated to
07:45have cost in the ballpark of $990 million.
07:49It's been described as a mini-city, with everything one might need on the 490-foot
07:55luxury vessel.
07:56There are countless swimming pools, a spa, a gym, a sauna, ballrooms, a theater, and
08:02two helipads.
08:02There are bathrooms outfitted with King Midas-evoking gold taps and toilet paper holders.
08:08Out on deck, exercise equipment can be seen, also lined with lounge seating and bar stools.
08:14Every other surface is either marble or gold, according to some sources, as befits the style
08:20of the Russian president.
08:21This ritzy ship isn't simply built for pleasure cruises.
08:24It can supposedly transform from party boat to war machine in a flash, with a state-of-the-art
08:30security system capable of taking drones down.
08:34It also contains six jet skis, five dinghies, and eight Seabob underwater scooters.
08:40This ensures control no matter which angle Putin takes, and an added level of security
08:45beneath all of the opulent, luxury features.
08:48The Scheherazade's ownership is hotly up for dispute, despite being outfitted with
08:52security, as the British captain Guy Bennett-Pierce denies Putin has ever owned or stepped foot
08:58on the vessel, in light of potential sanctions being placed on the boat.
09:02However, we really can't be sure.
09:04This would be an added layer of security and privacy to an already long, incredible
09:09list.
09:10Whether by land, air, or sea, Putin loves to travel in style and needs assurance of
09:15absolute control and security over his country.
09:18Did you have a favorite on today's list?
09:20If you could take any of these luxury vehicles for a drive, which would you choose?
09:25Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.
09:27That's going to be all for today.
09:29If you liked this and want to see more videos like it, make sure you leave a like on the
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09:38This has been Luxury Zone, and we'll see you next time.
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