Did Russia destroy Ukraine's Antonov AN-225, the world's largest plane?

Satellite images show damage to the aircraft's hangar

An Antonov AN225 aircraft carrying medical supplies arrives in Toronto, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. The Canadian Press via AP

An Antonov An-225 aircraft carrying medical supplies arrives in Toronto on Saturday, May 30, 2020. The Canadian Press via AP

Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies from an Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Bloomberg

Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies. Bloomberg

A worker unloads a shipment of medical supplies. Bloomberg

People watch as the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft lands. Bloomberg

Nothing matches the AN-225 when it comes to handling outsize and exceptionally heavy payloads. Bloomberg

"In moving large supplies of emergency equipment, military needs and other machinery, the AN-225 is unbeatable." Bloomberg

Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies from an Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Bloomberg

The beast of the skies lands in Canada. In the past week it has flown from Montreal in eastern Canada to Anchorage in the US state of Alaska before taking off for an 11-hour flight to Tianjin, China. Bloomberg

While the aircraft is playing an important role during the pandemic,  it is unlikely more will be made given its infrequent use at other times. Bloomberg

People watch as the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft lands in Toronto. Bloomberg

Three engines are seen on the wing of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft. Bloomberg

The Mriya (which means "dream" in Ukrainian) entered commercial service in 2001 and was originally developed to transport the Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space shuttle. Bloomberg

It is scheduled to continue flying until at least 2033. Bloomberg

It's statistics include a maximum payload of 250,000kg, a wingspan of 88m and total length of 84m. That means you can even slot a helicopter or haulage lorry inside.

The next biggest commercial airliner is the Boeing 747-8F, which handles up to 150 tonnes. Bloomberg

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The world's largest plane, the Antonov AN-225, is being inspected after coming under attack from Russian forces in Ukraine.

Ukraine's state-owned defence conglomerate Ukroboronprom said the unique aircraft, known as Mriya, was destroyed at the Antonov Airport in Gostomel, near Kiev.

"The occupiers destroyed the airplane, but they won’t be able to destroy our common dream," the group said in a statement. "Mriya will definitely be reborn. The restoration is estimated to take over $3 billion and over five years."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed the attack on the Antonov, while satellite images showed damage to a hangar at the airport.

However, the Antonov Company has yet to write off the 84-metre-long aircraft.

It said on Twitter: "Currently, until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft. Stay tuned for further official announcement."

The airport has witnessed violent clashes since the start of Russia's invasion, launched by President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Antonov AN-225's role in aviation

With its six engines, 32 wheels and wingspan that matches the length of a football pitch, the Antonov AN-225 has claimed 242 world records since it started flying in 1988, according to Antonov Airlines.

Its role in the aviation industry took on greater significance amid the coronavirus pandemic, as it delivered tonne after tonne of vital aid to countries worldwide.

The Mriya ("dream" in Ukrainian) entered commercial service in 2001 and was originally developed to transport the Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space shuttle.

The aircraft could carry a maximum payload of 250,000 kilograms, and had a wingspan of 88m. Its size meant it could fit a helicopter or haulage lorry inside.

The next biggest commercial airliner is the Boeing 747-8F, which can handle up to 150 tonnes. Sandwiched between is the AN-124, which can handle up to 150 tonnes but has a single deck, in contrast to the 747-8F which has both the main deck and lower cargo hold.

The Airbus BelugaXL, shaped like a whale and complete with a smiley face, is actually bigger than the Antonov in one respect: at 63m long and 8m wide, it has the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft.

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