Russian Nuke Doomsday Plane Vandalized While Being Serviced

Thieves have stolen equipment from a Russian 'Doomsday plane' designed to survive a nuclear war and act as a flying command centre for Russia's president.

In a major security breach, radio equipment was stolen from inside the Russian Aerospace Forces' rare Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome aircraft - of which only four are in service - as it was being upgraded.

As the plane was undergoing maintenance, 'unknown persons opened the cargo hatch' and stole equipment, according to Russia's state-run media outlet RIA Novosti.

Reports said 39 pieces of equipment were stolen after a cargo hatch was opened while the Ilyushin Il-80 was grounded in the southwestern Russian city of Taganrog, on the Sea of Azov, last Friday.

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