Mourning the World’s Largest Cargo Airplane: An-225 Mriya

Mriya, the world’s largest cargo airplane and the only operational Antonov An-225, has died. It was 33 years old. Does that sound like the first line of an obituary? Well, if any aircraft deserves to be mourned, the An-225 certainly qualifies.

Thom Patterson

Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 10:28 AM ET

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Admirers of this unique technological wonder have expressed sadness about Mriya’s destruction on social media posts from around the world. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world's largest cargo airplane and a symbol of aviation engineering, was destroyed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine at Gostomel Airport.
The destruction of the unique, record-setting aircraft, which held numerous world records for cargo and served the Soviet space program, has caused widespread sorrow among its global fanbase.
The An-225 was celebrated for its immense size, unique design, and ability to transport unprecedented loads, captivating onlookers worldwide.
A campaign and fundraising effort has been launched to rebuild the Mriya, potentially utilizing an unfinished twin airframe, with an estimated cost in the billions of dollars.

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The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest cargo airplane and relic of the Soviet space program, has died. It was 33 years old. Does that sound like the first line of an obituary? Well, if any aircraft deserves to be mourned, the An-225 certainly qualifies.

In the weeks since the iconic airplane was destroyed at Gostomel Airport (UKKM) during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, admirers from around the world have expressed shock and sadness. Painful images on social media show Mriya’s mangled wreckage painted with Ukrainian yellow and blue stripes.