Good luck to Putin. I flew extensively in the 18s and 62s in the 1980s & 90s around Russia and Eastern European countries mostly with Aeroflot and Malev. The nose cones were often some sort of "see through material" so they could be converted quickly to bombers. Plexiglass for the bomb aimers. Survived the experience although one of the fears was that the floor around the toilets was badly weakened by splashed urine so don't put too much weight on the floor if you had to use one.
I flew Moscow to Kiev in one plastic nose cone jobbie in 1975. The seats were canvas, sort of foldable directors chairs. The leg room was good though as they jets weren't very powerful so the load was limited.
Then in early 90s I went often to Warsaw. LOT used a mixture of Russian planes (with natty hand painter interiors) & new 737s. You loaded by bus so there was always a frisson of excitement as to what plane you got.
