While inspecting a residential building, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Major Boris Zastrozhnikov and his family. He asked if they liked their new flat.
"We do like it -- it's very nice," the officer's wife said. "Well, you can just bring your furniture with you and it feels like home," Putin agreed.
Answering the prime minister's question, the major said that he lives in Engels, flies a Tupolev Tu-95 Bear strategic bomber, and has served for 17 years. For him, this is a temporary residence, he said.
"It is going to become a permanent residence in three years," Putin said.
The prime minister also visited a flat next door.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Zheludkov said that they are content with their flat, as well as the quality of the repairs.
"Does anything peel off?" Putin asked, touching the wallpaper.
"No, everything is fixed firmly," the officer answered.
"Good," the prime minister said.
He then asked Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov about the contractor company. The minister said that a contract was signed with local companies.
"We now impose very strict requirements during construction and the acceptance stage," Serdyukov said. He added that the issues of service accommodation and permanent housing for military personnel in Engels and Saratov will be settled when the buildings are commissioned.
Answering the prime minister's question, Zheludkov said that so far he has made use of the flat through a social rent agreement, but plans to privatise it. He added that he is a commander of a Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber.
"Yes, I flew on board. An excellent plane," Putin noted. Before leaving, he gave the new residents a certificate for a television set.