Inside ‘Doomsday plane’ designed to survive nuclear blasts in WW3 as it takes flight over Europe amid Ukraine war

A ‘DOOMSDAY’ plane which was designed to survive nuclear blasts has been spotted flying over Europe amid mounting tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Boeing 747 named “Flying Pentagon” that dates back to the Cold War period, was seen flying over the English Channel after taking off from Washington. youtube/ horizontal rainThe Doomsday plane is designed to survive a nuclear blast[/caption] The Boeing 747 dates back to the Cold War period TwitterThe aircraft was spotted flying over the UK today[/caption] The Nightwatch aircraft was then seen circling over an area north of Cambridge and appeared to be heading towards RAF Mildenhall. The design of the plane is meant to survive an electromagnetic pulse with all the systems left intact. Triple-decker Doomsday planes even use traditional analogue flight instruments because they are less vulnerable to a cyber attack. Its sole role is to support military analysts and strategists during a military crisis. READ MORE ON UKRAINE PUTIN'S THREAT Putin's ambassador says they have the right to press the nuclear button all to play for World Cup qualifying play-offs fixtures, draw date and schedule The aeroplanes, while not technically secret, are rarely mentioned – the Air Force does not even publicly acknowledge owning some of them. The planes which have been in operation since the 1970s were long considered the best chance for a Cold War president to survive a nuclear attack. They also include special gear like a five-mile-long trailing wire antenna that would ensure that the president could remain in contact with the nuclear submarine fleet even after ground-based communications had been destroyed. It comes as fears of a nuclear war have escalated after the Russian leader put his nuclear forces on high alert. Most read in The Sun PUMP IT UP Asda and Sainsbury's cut petrol price by 6p per litre TODAY after fuel duty cut WATTS UP? EastEnders fans staggered as slimline Sharon returns looking 'years younger' HOLY SMOKE Price of pack of cigarettes NOT going up again after Spring Statement PAY RISE Millions of workers to get £1,000 a year boost to wages from next month SHAME TO FAME Where Shameless cast are now - from cocaine scandal to £18m cosmetics empire AFTER EFFECT Warning to Covid survivors of the last year over life-threatening complication Russia’s defence ministry released images of a massive 46.5-ton weapon firing shells towards Kharkiv. Russian deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy previously warned that Putin will use nuclear weapons if “provoked” by Nato. “If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO, why not? We are a nuclear power,” he said. It comes as: Vladimir Putin could face being deposed in a coup as fury grows in his inner circle over Russia’s failures in UkraineRussia has lost up to 40,000 troops in Ukraine along with at least 17 commandersFears are growing of more brutal Russian tactics as Putin was accused of using phosphorous bombsRussian landing ship Orsk was blown up as it was anchored in the occupied port of BerdyanskApocalyptic footage showed the devastation of Mariupol as the vicious bombardment of the city continuesVideo also shows the moment a Russian tank was blown to pieces as Putin has lost 3,300 vehicles during the invasionBritain is now sending another 6,000 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine to help the fight against Russia Last week Russia released footage of its “Kinzhal” rocket destroying an ammunition depot in Ivano-Frankivsk in the west of Ukraine. Earlier Russia had released chilling footage of its 7,000mph Zircon hypersonic nuke missile and branded it “unstoppable.” The Russian dictator had previously warned that Moscow had stockpiled “unparalleled” hypersonic missiles. YouTube/ US Defense NewsThe planes have been in operation since the 1970s[/caption] YouTube/ US Defense NewsThey are designed to survive an electromagnetic pulse[/caption] Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund