‘Now we've got the missiles to shoot down their Teslas’ — and other RuNet reactions to Putin's state-of-the-nation speech
President Putin dedicated a surprising amount of his annual state-of-the-nation speech on Thursday to Russia's latest high-tech weapons, revealing that the country is developing and testing new ballistic missiles, a nuclear-powered cruise missile, a new underwater drone, and laser weapons. The Internet took note.
Pavel Smolyak offered up a short and sweet summary of Putin's address:
When the president started talking about missiles, more than a few Russian Internet users recalled how Elon Musk's SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy rocket last month, carrying a Tesla car into outer space.
Putin's talk of weaponized lasers also led to some Star Wars humor.
The 3D graphics showed on video screens during Putin's speech didn't exactly impress. Some viewers joked online that they looked like clips from old computer games.
Some Internet users started making plans for life after the nuclear apocalypse, recalling the currency used by characters in the computer game Fallout.
The focus on new weaponry led some Russian Twitter users to script imaginary dialogues with the president:
“Have you seen this missile?”
“Mr. Putin, the roads are crumbling, food prices are rising...”
“Just look at this missile! It's great!”
“Everyone is stealing!”
“We're turn everyone into dust.”
“Mr. President, you've mixed up your notes. Here's your speech.”
“No.”
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