Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics
Ukraine's dream
World’s largest commercial plane named ‘Mriya’ which means dream in Ukrainian.
The Antonov-225 cargo plane was 276 feet long and could transport approximately 250 tonnes of cargo at the speed of 850 kilometres per hour.
It flew in 1988 for the first time and remained in service until 1991.
In tatters
The jet plane lies crumpled and broken beneath the shattered arch of an aircraft hangar, where it had been awaiting maintenance at the time of the invasion.
AN-225 completely destroyed
The one and only fuselage has been completely destroyed. Only, the left wing of the plane is not damaged, as it landed on a Cessna 172 aircraft nearby when the aircraft parted from the fuselage.
The destruction of AN-225 is a symbolic loss in not only in Ukriane but also in the aviation history.
Awaiting for its maintenance
The airplane was awaiting its maintenance at the time of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Ukroboronprom estimated the restoration cost to be more than $3 billion dollars. Ukrainian authorities vowed to rebuild the airplane saying Russia would be made to foot for the loss.
Freed from invading forces
Ukrainian defence forces at the liberated Hostomel region, in Kyiv where the largest aircraft in the world Antonov An-225 Mriya was based.
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