Antonov was destroyed in the Ukrainian war: the largest cargo plane in the world is rusting away

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Hostomel airport, a good two years after the start of the war. Debris still reminds us of February 24, 2022. Russian airborne troops were supposed to support the surprise attack on the capital Kiev, around 30 kilometers away, but Ukrainian troops pushed them back. The advance was thus stopped.

But a Ukrainian national symbol was destroyed in the fighting: the Antonov AN-225 Mriya - which translates to dream. The aircraft is considered the largest cargo aircraft ever to fly.

With a wingspan of 88 meters and a length of 84 meters, the machine, completed in 1988, could transport up to 250 tons of cargo. Now, two years later, the wreckage of the AN-225 still lies on the spot, next to other aircraft wreckage.

Volodymyr Zelenskyj, Ukrainian President:

»And here, in this place, you understand it best - metal may not hold up, but the Ukrainians do. You can burn the plane, but you can't destroy the dream."

On the anniversary of the Russian invasion, President Zelensky gathered some Western heads of government at this symbolic location. Before the war, Hostomel was the home base of the aircraft manufacturer Antonov.

It is still unclear whether the plane will ever fly again. There have been plans for a complete restoration for a long time, but it is questionable whether they can be implemented. In addition to the cost of at least 500 million US dollars, many parts are also custom-made for the giant aircraft. For now, this Ukrainian dream is likely to continue to rust.