Ukroboronprom has confirmed that Russia has destroyed the world's largest and most powerful Ukrainian-made AN-225 "Mriya" aircraft (updated).
The message appeared on the Ukroboronprom State Concern's page on Facebook.
"The Russian occupiers destroyed the flagship of Ukrainian aviation - the legendary An-225 "Mriya". It took place at the Antonov airport in Gostomel near Kyiv, where the plane was. Its restoration will cost more than $ 3 billion and take a long time. Ukraine will make every effort to ensure that the aggressor state pays for these works," the statement reads.
It is emphasized that Russia aimed at the "Dream" as a symbol of the capabilities of Ukrainian aviation.
"The occupiers destroyed the plane, but they will not be able to destroy our common dream. It will revive. It is estimated to take more than $ 3 billion and more than five years. Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which caused intentional damage to the Ukrainian aviation and the air cargo sector," the state concern said.
Ukroboronprom CEO Yuri Gusev stressed that Russia had destroyed our "Mriya", but the occupier cannot destroy the dream of a free Ukraine.
At the AN-225 invasion, Mriya was under repair at the Gostomel airport, so it did not have time to depart from Ukraine.
Information about the destruction was not immediately officially confirmed because in Gostomel the enemy continues to fight. Radio Svoboda wrote about the destruction, citing two informed sources at the enterprise, and Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk wrote that the plane had been burned.
"Unfortunately, information on the condition of "AN" aircraft at Kyiv-Antonov-2 airfield (Gostomel town) hasn't been confirmed so far, as fighting is still going on there. Please wait for the official announcement on the condition of the aircraft. Keep together. Together we will win any enemy!" noted the enterprise.
Mayor Buchi said that the "Mriya" was utterly destroyed after the 5th plane crash.
"After the 5th air attack, the "Mriya" was bombed completely. It happened on the first day (February 24 - ed.). They fired from helicopters," Fedoruk said.
Flight Radar data confirm that after February 5, "Mriya" did not fly away from Gostomel. 5 powerful cargo AN-124-100 "Ruslan" were exported earlier and are now abroad.
Note that there is still an unfinished copy of "Mriya".
Ukrainian Pride, the super-powerful AN-255, is the world's largest aircraft. Only one copy is currently fully built. The plane was used to transport goods to different countries and companies. "Mriya" set 124 world and 214 national records for load capacity, speed and altitude.
We should note that the enemy attacked the airport in Gostomel on the first day of a full-scale offensive against Ukraine. Russia wanted to land its landing there, which was scheduled to Kyiv. Ukrainian defenders in a heroic battle did not allow the occupier to gain control of the airdrome, but clashes with enemies are still going on there.