Destroyed’ during Russian invasion, Ukranian Foreign Minister says.
Amidst Moscow’s assault on Ukraine, Ukraine authorities announced Monday that the world’s largest cargo aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 or ‘Mriya‘, was destroyed by Russian troops due to an attack on an airport near Kyiv.
According to Ukrainian officials, after Russian troops entered a Ukrainian airbase in Hostomel, where the aircraft was parked, the plane was extensively damaged. Although they have not confirmed the broadness of damage, Ukraine has said that it will be rebuilding the legendary plane.
The plane garnered much attention and public interest, and people would frequent airports to see ‘Mriya’ take off or land.
The aircraft took its first flight in 1988, and in 1989, it flew with 156.3 tons of cargo and established 110 world speed, altitude, and weight-to-altitude records within 3 hours and 45 minutes of flight.
AN-225 or ‘Mriya’ The aircraft was developed as a flying space launching site in the reusable aerospace transport system (MAKS), with the aeroplane making the first stage and a small-size space shuttle with a fuel tank the second stage.
In June 2010, the aircraft carried the most extended cargo item in the history of air transportation. Two wind turbine blades, 42.1 meters each, were delivered by air from China to Denmark for special testing.
The AN-225 Mriya was repaired at Gostomel Airport when Russian troops destroyed it.
News agency AFP reported that weapons manufacturer Ukroboronprom estimated that restoring the “Mriya” would cost over $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) and over five years. The Russian Federation will cover this cost anyhow , and we will this ensure this because they are the one who has caused intentional damage to Ukraine’s aviation and the air cargo sector,” it said in a statement.
“This was the world’s largest aircraft, AN-225.’ Mriya'” (‘Dream’ in Ukrainian)Ukraine’ Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted Sunday.
Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya’. But they will never be able to beat our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
The aircraft was unique to the world; It was 84 meters long (276 feet) could transport upto 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds ) of cargo at a speed of 850 kilometres per hour (528 mph ). Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines operated The cargo plane.
A symbol of hope in the darkest hour of covid,The world’s largest plane, carried vast quantities of life-saving vaccines PPE kits around the globe. Russian invaders now destroy it in its war against Ukraine and the wilder world,” the ministry of foreign affairs tweeted.
Initially built as part of the Soviet aeronautical program, the An-225 made its first flight in 1988. After years of not flying after the fall of the Soviet Union, the only existing copy made a test flight in 2001 in Gostomel, about 20 kilometres from Kyiv.
Antonov has said that it cannot be confirmed the present condition of the plane. “Currently, until experts have inspected the AN-225, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft. Stay connected for the further official announcement,” tweeted the aircraft manufacturing company.
Russia has been raining cruise missiles down on numerous Ukrainian cities ever since it launched a full-scale invasion of the country on Thursday.
Street fighting raged in Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv on Sunday. Ukrainian forces managed to control the city from Russian troops, who initially pierced through their defences.
However, The capital Kyiv under a strict state-of-war curfew continues to be on edge as the sounds of gunfire and blasts periodically reverberate through the city.
We will fight for our land and our home until we win. And after the victory, we will finish our new “Mriya”, which has been waiting for this in a safe place for many years. Everything will be Ukraine!” Yuriy Husyev, Director General of Ukroboronprom, said in a release.
Edited by: Kiran Maharana
Published by: Vishakha Verma
