Putin filmed with officers carrying N-briefcase

Rare footage was shown on Wednesday of

Russian President

Putin in Beijing accompanied by officers carrying the so-called nuclear

briefcase

which can be used to order a nuclear strike.

Putin

was filmed walking to a meeting surrounded by security and followed by two Russian naval officers in uniform each carrying a briefcase.
The camera zooms in on one of the briefcases. Russia's nuclear briefcase is traditionally carried by a naval officer. Known as the "Cheget" (named after Mt Cheget in the Caucasus Mountains), the briefcase is with the president at all times but is rarely filmed. Essentially, it is a secure communication tool that links the president to his military brass and thence to rocket forces via the highly secret 'Kazbek' electronic command-and-control network. Kazbek supports another system known as 'Kavkaz'. The Russian defence minister also has a nuclear briefcase. The chief of the general staff may also have one.