Maybe not everyone knows that the largest plane in the world is Ukrainian. On the contrary, erabecause the Russian army destroyed it during its own advanced for the conquest of Kiev. Her name was Antonov AN-225 Mriya, and was stationed at Hostomel airport just outside the capital. A strategic conquest given the length of the runway that will allow the Russians to land the troops directly in the city. These are the words of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba:
It was the largest aircraft in the world, AN-225 “Mriya” (“Dream”, in Ukrainian). Russia may also have destroyed our “Mriya”. But they will never succeed in destroying our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We will win!
Of Soviet construction – dates back to 1985when Ukraine still belonged to the USSR – is (was) equipped with six turboprop engines, had a ‘wingspan of 88.4 meters and it has been used for various purposes, from humanitarian aid during the Covid emergency to the transport of space shuttle Buran and Energy boosters. It was very similar to the Boeing 747 that NASA used to transport its Space Shuttle, but it was significantly larger (Boeing wingspan: 59.64 meters).
It was bought by Antonov in 2001, who has now admitted on Twitter that he has no further information regarding the condition of the aircraft. The largest in the world, we still remember, both in terms of wingspan and weight.
The news on the conditions of the plane were mixed, as can be understood given the situation. First it was thought that he had been pardoned, then increasingly insistent voices spoke of explosions at the hangar where it is kept, complete with accompanying images showing smoke and fire.
“It will cost $ 3 billion to put it back together“, reported Ukroboronprom, the state institution that controls Antonov Company.”And this figure will be paid by the Russian Federation“.
Only one was built, because the initial project for which it was conceived – space shuttle Buran – was closed with the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. For this it was bought by Antonov and converted into a freighter.
