Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Saturday made a 30-minute flight on Sukhoi-34 fighter-bomber, following an example set by his powerful predecessor Vladimir Putin.
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Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev sits in the Sukhoi SU-34 fighter-bomber before the flight during his visit to Kubinka airbase outside Moscow, March 28, 2009. [Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies]
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Medvedev was shown by Russian television dressed in pilot's flying suit and helmet climbing into the blue jet at Kubinka air base near Moscow. Later he appeared on the screens waving from the cockpit before the plane started taxying before take-off.
"It was a fantastic feeling," Medvedev said after the jet landed half an hour later. "Words cannot convey this feeling."
Medvedev, who has promised the Russian military a major re-armaments program will go ahead despite the economic crisis, visited the base to see the latest military aircraft.
The visit came four days before Medvedev was due to hold his first talks with US President Barack Obama in London aimed at "pressing the reset button" on their strained bilateral ties.
Russia's push to build up its armed forces is one of the issues which have raised eyebrows in the West.