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No hope for giant aircraft AN-225
STORY: After the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kyiv region, Ukrainians take a closer look at the areas that have been fought over for five weeks, including Antonov International Airport northwest of Kyiv. Many aircraft have been damaged or destroyed here by shells or fire. Most of the machines can be replaced. There is only one that doesn’t: The Antonov-225 Mriya, the “dream” of the skies. It was the longest and heaviest aircraft in service in the world. It could transport up to 250 tons of cargo to remote corners. Pilot Dmytro Antonov has no hope that the damage can be repaired. “There was the cockpit, right there. Nothing more. Just three engines.” “My sadness is indescribable. Two months ago I flew a transport with the Mriya for the last time.” It remains to be seen whether individual parts of the destroyed “dream” can still be used and whether a majestic AN-225 will ever take to the skies again. The Ukrainian state-owned company Ukroboronprom reported in February that the Mriya caught fire during a Russian attack.
The Antonov-225 Mriya, the “dream” of the skies, was the longest and heaviest operational aircraft in the world. During fighting for Antonov International Airport in Ukraine, the only example was destroyed. For the first time, the pilot of the machine was able to inspect the wreck.