Antonov AN-225 Mriya: 'World's Largest Aircraft' Destroyed During A Russian Attack On Airfield Near Kyiv
The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya, has been destroyed in a Russian attack on Hostomel Airport near Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya, has been destroyed in a Russian attack on Hostomel Airport near Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
Taking to Twitter, Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, wrote on Sunday: "Russia may have destroyed our 'Mriya'. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state."
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"We shall prevail!" he added.
The plane was based at the Antonov Airport ¨C also known as Hostomel Airport, reports said.
In a statement, Ukrainian state defense company Ukroboronprom, said the restoration of the aircraft will take more than five years at a cost of over $3 billion following the attack, adding that it aimed to ensure Russia covers the costs.
This was the world¡¯s largest aircraft, AN-225 ¡®Mriya¡¯ (¡®Dream¡¯ in Ukrainian). Russia may have destroyed our ¡®Mriya¡¯. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail! pic.twitter.com/TdnBFlj3N8
¡ª Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 27, 2022
The company, in another statement, said the airplane had been in on the ground near Kyiv on February 24 undergoing maintenance.
The biggest plane in the world "Mriya" (The Dream) was destroyed by Russian occupants on an airfield near Kyiv. We will rebuild the plane. We will fulfill our dream of a strong, free, and democratic Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Gy6DN8E1VR
¡ª Ukraine / §µ§Ü§â§Ñ?§ß§Ñ (@Ukraine) February 27, 2022
"According to the director of Antonov Airlines, one of the engines was dismantled for repairs and the plane wasn't able to take off that day, although the appropriate commands were given," it said.
Update on the information of #AN225 "Mriya" aircraft: Currently, until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft.
¡ª ANTONOV Company ?? (@AntonovCompany) February 27, 2022
Stay tuned for further official announcement.#StopRussia #StopRussiaAggression #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/EHyHVFJJXc
The six-engine aircraft is 84 meters long and has a wingspan of about 88 meters. It first flew in December 1988 and holds records for transporting the biggest commercial cargo, Bloomberg reported.
As per CNN, Russian forces claimed to have captured Hostomel airfield, where the AN-225 was located, on Friday.
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