The world's largest cargo plane, the Antonov AN-225, which was destroyed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has a long history. The plane was in the air about 30 years ago, based on records.
When the Russian invasion began, this plane was parked near the capital Kyiv because it had been undergoing repairs since February 24.
The An-225 first took to the skies in 1988 and immediately set 106 world records in one flight. This massive aircraft was able to fly with the Buran orbiter onboard and take part in the 1989 Paris Air Show; however, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the Buran program being discontinued, it was forced to shut down.
The AN-225 then remained in Ukrainian storage until 2000. The Antonov AN-225 then returned to service in 2001 as a commercial transport aircraft. Antonov and Air Foyle, UK, jointly operate the aircraft.
Ukrainian dream
The Antonov AN-225 aircraft is named "Mriya" which means "dream" in Ukrainian. This aircraft can carry a load of up to 250 tons and has the longest wingspan in the world.
The Antonov AN-225 aircraft was initially used to transport the space shuttle Buran in place of the Myasishchev VM-T.
The AN-225 has several specifications, including a length of 84 meters, a wingspan of 88.4 meters, and a height of 18.1 meters. The aircraft with six Imi jet engines has a maximum speed performance of 850 km/h and a cruising speed of 800 km/h.
Initially, this aircraft was to be built in two units; however, only one unit, namely the UR-82060, has been completed so far.
While the second unit was scheduled to be completed in 2008, it was delayed. Until 2009, the second unit was not completed, and the work was abandoned.
The AN-225 has also been used several times for humanitarian missions in other countries. One of them was distributing aid to the Dominican Republic when the large-scale Haiti earthquake occurred in 201 ago.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AN-225 was also used to distribute medical assistance.
The Antonov AN-225 aircraft has been instrumental for Ukrainian aviation for 30 years. Now the condition of the plane is damaged, and the damage to the plane cannot be estimated about the possibility that repairs can be made.
Many have called the breakdown of the Antonov AN-225 a tragic story in the Ukrainian aviation world.