The VzPU was an airborne command post variant fitted with SLAR, which entered Soviet service as the Mil-22. Given that this example is the earlier designation, it is likely an early test aircraft for the type. As it has also been reported that this is an earlier VKP (Hook-B), which was a command post transport variant, I believe it is possible that it was built as a VKP, but was later converted into a VzPU for testing and evaluation. c/n 0454. On display outside at the Russian Air Force Museum.