Ukraine Invasion Likely Destroyed Largest Plane Ever Built
The Antonov An-225 Mriya, a 276-foot aircraft with a 290-foot wingspan, has been one of Ukraine’s prized possessions since it was built there in 1985. The plane was originally engineered to carry Soviet space orbiters, though only one such mission was ever completed before Antonov Airlines purchased the aircraft and modified it to be used for commercial cargo shipping. It’s since been used to transport heavy cargo loads as well as emergency aid during natural disasters as well as in the initial global outbreak of COVID-19.
Before Russia’s invasion, Mriya was undergoing repairs at Antonov Airport in northern Ukraine near Kyiv. Russian forces swarmed the airport last Thursday in an attempt to snuff its strategic value; within two days, airstrikes had destroyed at least one Ka-52 Alligator and much of the airport’s structure. Ukrainian officials confirmed Saturday that the hangar housing Mriya had suffered significant damage, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft itself.
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
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 27, 2022
Though many have accepted Mriya’s demise, some aircraft enthusiasts are holding out hope that the damage isn’t as severe as it’s said to be. Paul Byrne, associate professor of earth and planetary science at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, believes Mriya might still be intact. Byrne tweeted recent satellite imagery depicting Mriya’s hangar, illustrating that any damage to the hangar might be far enough from the actual aircraft inside to save Mriya from severe structural damage. As Byrne admits, however, no civilian will be sure of Mriya’s condition until ground photos are made available to the public.
Byrne’s optimism for Mriya, while admirable, may not be as well-founded as many would hope. Ukraine’s state-run defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom has also acknowledged the fall of Mriya. In a statement from Sunday, Ukroboronprom General Director Yuriy Husyev stated more than $3 billion USD in time-consuming repairs would be necessary to make the plane operational again—and that Ukraine expects Russia to pay the full cost.
“Russia has destroyed our ‘Mriya,’ but the dream of Ukraine to get free from the occupier cannot be destroyed,” Husyev said. “We will fight for our land and our home until we win. And after the victory, we will definitely finish our new ‘Mriya,’ which has been waiting for this in a safe place for many years.”
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