![]() ![]() Photos of the aircraft partially covered up were circulated before MAKS-2021 with a provocative slogan: “Do you want to see me naked?” ( Kommersant, July 21). The most promoted entry at MAKS-2021 was a mysterious new stealth fighter. No US representation attended MAKS-2021, while the Russian defense industry presented its latest weaponry that it claims is specifically designed to counter the US and allied militaries. Today, in 2021, Washington and Moscow’s relationship is at a critical low and a new Cold War–style arms race seems to be in full swing. The United States Air Force sent to MAKS-2011 a sizable array of military aircraft: C-130J Super Hercules and С-5 Galaxy transport jets, a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber, and a Р-3С Orion intelligence/anti-submarine aircraft all stood on the tarmac in Zhukovsky, together with an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jet and F-15E and F-16C fighters, which additionally put on a show by flying together with their Russian counterparts. That year, Washington and Moscow were still pursuing their so-called “reset,” revamping bilateral relations following the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. A decade ago, at MAKS-2011, all the major world civilian aircraft producers were present, as Aeroflot and other Russian aviation-industry companies were, at that time, massively buying up foreign airliners. MAKS international aerospace shows have been held every two years in Zhukovsky since 1993, to demonstrate Russia’s capability to build modern civilian and military aircraft, air-defense systems and space missiles. Apparently, Putin sees himself constantly and ubiquitously surrounded by deadly threats, and the same kind of paranoia seems to influence Russia’s external, internal and defense policymaking. Anyone, no matter who, permitted close to Putin must first spend two weeks in total isolation under the watchful eye of the Federal Protective Service (FSO) to be proclaimed “clean” and allowed into the Russian leader’s presence ( Kommersant, July 21). According to a member of his personal press pool, he was at all times inside a “clean zone” bubble: no person or official was allowed anywhere near the president if he or she was not “clean” of COVID-19. At MAKS-2021, the Russian president strolled through the exhibition without a facemask, surrounded by a screen of body guards. ![]() According to official Kremlin reports, Putin has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but he still observes a strict isolation regime. On opening day, July 20, President Vladimir Putin visited the exposition, observed the stands, and watched demonstration overflights by military and civilian aircraft. Despite another wave of deadly COVID-19 coronavirus infections ravaging Moscow and spreading out into the provinces, the Russian authorities went ahead with staging the MAKS-2021 air-and-space show on the outskirts of Moscow, in Zhukovsky. ![]()
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