Ukrainian Officials Reveal Fate Of World's Largest Cargo Aircraft, 'Mriya'

Following Russia's initial invasion, reports circulated that the Antonov An-225 Mriya—the only remaining operational copy of the world’s largest cargo airplane—was destroyed amid fighting.

Kimberly Johnson

Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 01:44 PM ET

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Mriya AN-225 landing at the Gostomel airport in July of 2020. [File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Ukrainian officials initially confirmed the destruction of the An-225 Mriya, the world's largest cargo aircraft, by Russian forces at an airfield near Kyiv.
The An-225 "Mriya" (The Dream) was a unique, record-breaking Soviet-era strategic airlift cargo airplane, which Ukraine vowed to rebuild.
However, conflicting reports later emerged, with an Antonov Airlines captain reportedly stating the aircraft remained intact despite the airport being held by Russian forces.

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Amid days of bloody fighting and unrest, Russia’s path of destruction in Ukraine now includes the world’s largest cargo aircraft, Ukrainian officials confirmed Sunday.

READ MORE: Comparing the World’s Largest Airplanes

“The biggest plane in the world ‘Mriya’ [The Dream] was destroyed by Russian occupants on an airfield near Kyiv,” Ukraine said on social media. “We will rebuild the plane. We will fulfill our dream of a strong, free, and democratic Ukraine.”