Mriya, The World's Largest Plane, Has Been Destroyed by Russia's Strikes on Ukraine

The Ukroboronprom, the largest plane in the world, was destroyed by Russian strikes on the fourth day of the invasion.

The group said that the flagship of the Ukrainian aviation, the AN-225, was destroyed by Russian invaders.

The 84 meter long plane could carry up to 250 metric tons (551,000 pounds) of cargo at a speed of up to 850 kilometers per hour.

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

This was the world's largest aircraft, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Russia may have destroyed us. They will never be able to destroy our dream of a free and democratic European state. He said that we shall prevail.

There have been violent clashes at Gostomel airport since the start of Russia's invasion.

The Russian army said it was trying to take strategic infrastructure.

Ukroboronprom estimated that it would take over five years to restore the Mesopotamia.

⚡️BREAKING:

The world's greatest cargo aircraft, Ukraine's Antonov An-225 Mriya, along with some other giant jets parked in Hostomel, was ruined amid a Russian attack at the Antonov Airfield. pic.twitter.com/ccWzPikpbK

— Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) February 27, 2022

The group wants to make sure that the expenses are covered by Russia.

The An-225 made its first flight in 1988.

After years of not flying, the only existing copy made a test flight in 2001 in Gostomel.

It was in high demand during the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic and has been operated by Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.

Agence France-Presse