STORY: Russian President Vladimir Putin test-drove a new Volga K50 SUV during a visit to a car manufacturing facility in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday (August 28), taking the wheel of the model as officials showcased the revived Russian brand.

Putin was seen driving the vehicle between production buildings at the plant complex, accompanied by a company representative.

During the visit, Putin toured around the plant and was shown production facilities, assembly areas and equipment used in the manufacturing process. He also signed the bonnet of a Volga K50.

The K50 is a flagship model of the reborn Volga brand, one of the best-known names in Russia's Soviet-era automotive industry. It is produced at a facility established on the site of a former Volkswagen plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The vehicle is based on Chinese automotive technology and has been described by industry analysts as a Russian-branded model derived from a Chinese-developed platform.

During the visit to Nizhny Novgorod, Russian President also delivered a speech at a forum, met with Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin and visited the newly opened 'VOLGA Arena' sports complex.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA (AUGUST 28, 2026) (RUSSIAN POOL - Access all)

1. REPRESENTATIVE OF GORKY AUTOMOTIVE PLANT SHOWING PUTIN AROUND FACTORY FLOOR

2. PLANT EMPLOYEE HANDING PUTIN A MARKER / PUTIN SIGNING THE BONNET OF 'VOLGA' K50 CAR

3. PUTIN'S SIGNATURE ON VEHICLE

4. PUTIN OPENING CAR DOOR, GETTING INTO DRIVER'S SEAT ACCOMPANIED BY PLANT REPRESENTATIVE

5. CAR PULLING AWAY WITH PUTIN AT THE WHEEL

6. CAR DRIVING OUT OF BUILDING, TURNING RIGHT

7. ONBOARD VIEW OF PUTIN DRIVING ACCOMPANIED BY PLANT REPRESENTATIVE

8. CAR DRIVING INTO FACTORY BUILDING

9. PUTIN OPENING CAR DOOR SEEN THROUGH FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW

10. PUTIN GETTING OUT OF CAR, CLOSING THE DOOR

11. PLANT EMPLOYEE SHOWING PUTIN AROUND THE PLANT

12. PUTIN AND PLANT EMPLOYEE STANDING NEXT TO EQUIPMENT AS WORKER HANDLES MATERIALS

13. PUTIN SEEN THROUGH MACHINERY

14. WIDE OF FACTORY FLOOR WITH PUTIN, PLANT REPRESENTATIVES AND MEDIA