x

World’s Largest Plane Destroyed By Russian Strikes in Ukraine

The largest plane in the world Ukraine’s Antonov-225 cargo plane, was destroyed by Russian strikes outside Kyiv on the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion, Ukraine’s state-owned Ukroboronprom group said Sunday.

“Russian invaders destroyed the flagship of the Ukrainian aviation, the AN-225” at the Antonov airport in Gostomel near Kyiv, the group said in a statement.

The aircraft was unique to the world, at 84 meters long (276 feet) it could transport up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of cargo at a speed of up to 850 kilometres per hour (528 mph).

It had been named “Mriya”, which means “dream” in Ukrainian.

“This was the world’s largest aircraft, AN-225 ‘Mriya’” Ukraine’ Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted Sunday.

“Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya’. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail!”, he added.

Gostomel airport has seen violent clashes since the start of Russia’s invasion, launched by President Vladimir Putin Thursday.

The Russian army has said it is trying to seize strategic infrastructure.

Weapons manufacturer Ukroboronprom estimated that restoring the “Mriya” would cost over $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) and could take over five years.

“Our mission is to ensure that these expenses are covered by Russia, which deliberately inflicted damage on Ukraine’s aviation,” the group said.

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.

It has been operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for cargo flights and was in high demand during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Ibom Air’s Essienette Elected 1st Chairman of NIMN Uyo Chapter

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo Mrs. Aniekan Essienette, FNIMN, Group Manager,...

JUST IN: CDCFIB Shifts Recruitment Portal Opening to July 14

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board...

JUST IN: Tinubu to Sign Four Landmark Tax Reform Bills Into Law Thursday

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, June 26, sign...

BREAKING: 11 PDP NWC Members Reject Anyanwu’s Return as National Secretary

Crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened,...

NCoS, NAS PC Partner to Rehabilitate Inmates, Curb Crime in Bayelsa

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Bayelsa...

Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal in Ogwashi-Uku Royal Dispute

By Anne Azuka The Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting in...

Delta Govt Applauds Asaba NUJ Chapel for Solar Power Project

By Anne Azuka The Delta State Government has commended the...

Top 3 Insurance Companies Driving Digital Innovation in Nigeria (2025)

For years, insurance in Nigeria was viewed with skepticism—often...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img