New Images of World’s Largest Cargo Jet Show Details of Destruction

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has released new video showing an apparently destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya at Gostomel Airport (UKKM) in Ukraine.

Thom Patterson

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 01:23 PM ET

Verified

Why the one-of-a-kind heavy-lift transport aircraft was not flown out of Ukraine before Russia invaded is unclear. [Courtesy Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world's largest cargo airplane and a symbol of Ukrainian industrial pride, has been confirmed destroyed at Gostomel Airport in Ukraine following intense fighting.
Imagery from Russia's Ministry of Defense and confirmation from the Antonov Company revealed the aircraft's destruction, with photos showing extensive damage.
Questions have arisen regarding why the Mriya was not moved to safety before the invasion, with reports indicating it was under repair and that a lack of decisive action from top management prevented its deployment.
The Antonov Company has launched a worldwide fundraising campaign to rebuild the unique aircraft, with an estimated cost of $3 billion.

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Russia’s Ministry of Defense has released new imagery showing an apparently destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya—once the world’s largest cargo airplane—at Gostomel Airport (UKKM) in Ukraine.

The airport—also known as Antonov Airport—was the scene of intense firefights last month between Ukrainian military and invading Russian special forces. The photos show Mriya’s gigantic nose cone riddled with what appear to be bullet or shrapnel holes sitting near the aircraft’s wing and turbofan engines.