Russia has destroyed the world’s largest airliner, the Antonov AN-225, according to Ukrainian authorities, according to the Independent UK.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, confirmed this in a message on the country’s Twitter account.
According to him, the aircraft was one-of-a-kind in the globe, measuring 84 meters (276 feet) in length and capable of transporting up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of freight at 850 kilometers per hour (528 mph).
Part of his tweet reads
“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!”
Also reacting to the news is Ukrainian company Ukroboronprom, which manages the Antonov company, stressed that it will ensure “aggressor” Russia pays for restoring the plane.
“Russian occupiers destroyed the flagship of Ukrainian aviation — the legendary AN-225 ‘Mriya’. This happened at the Antonov airfield in Gostomel near Kyiv, where the plane was,” the statement said.
“It will cost over $3 billion(N1.24 trillion) to restore the plane, the restoration shall be time consuming. “Ukraine will make every effort to ensure that the aggressor state pays for these works.”
According to a CNN report, the AN-225 was sometimes drafted to help airlift aid during crises in other countries.
In the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, it delivered relief supplies to the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Likewise, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the plane was used to transport medical supplies to affected areas.
Its popularity in the aviation world meant it often drew large crowds wherever it went, particularly when it made star appearances at air shows.