According to Ukrainian state armaments manufacturer Ukroboronprom, the world’s largest freight jet, the Antonov’s AN-225 Mriya, was destroyed in a Russian strike on Hostomel airfield outside Kyiv on Sunday.
“The renowned An-225 Mriya, the flagship of Ukrainian aviation, was destroyed by Russian occupation. It happened near Kyiv at the Antonov airbase in Hostomel “Ukroboronprom announced the news on its Facebook page.
The repair of the airliner would cost more than $3 billion and take a lengthy period, according to the report.
Cargo Aircraft AN-225 Mriya Was Ruined Amid A Russian Attack -What Happened?
According to sources, a Russian airstrike on Kyiv’s Hostomel freight airport resulted in the destruction of the world’s largest cargo plane, Antonov’s An-225 Mriya.
Two Antonov employees informed the Ukrainian radio station, Radio Svoboda, that the jet, which was parked at the Ukrainian manufacturer’s facility, had been burnt down by Moscow’s strike.
Illia Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian defence reporter, first reported the news, which was confirmed by the mayor of Bucha, a neighbourhood of Kyiv near the airfield.
“A Russian strike at the Antonov Airfield wrecked the world’s greatest cargo aeroplane, Ukraine’s Antonov An-225 Mriya, along with some other huge jets stored in Hostomel,” he tweeted.
The news has shattered the hearts of aviation fans all around the world, who have taken to social media to pay tribute to “the lovely bird.”
“This plane carried much-needed medical supplies to Canada in 2020,” one user remarked, while another stated the 84-meter jet had just three weeks before delivered 2.5 million Covid-19 tests.
Dmytrio Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign affairs minister, verified the story on Twitter, writing: “Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya.'” They will, however, never be able to derail our vision of a robust, free, and democratic European state. We’re going to win!”
Is The News About An-225 Mriya Being Destroyed True?
There have been reports that the world’s largest aeroplane, AN-225 Mriya, has been destroyed in the midst of the Ukrainian crisis. However, no formal confirmation has been given in this regard.
The Antonov An-225 billed as the world’s biggest airliner, was last seen at Hostomel Airport (GML).
An aeroplane with the registration number UR-82060 has been at Hostomel Airport since its previous landing on February 5, 2022, according to current flight data.
Mriya is a plane famous for its massive size. Three jet engines are mounted on each wing, and the plane has more wheels than a typical plane.