Antonov Airlines has announced it will spend about half a billion dollars to rebuild the damaged (by the Russians) An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane.
The company has concluded that about 30% of the aircraft can be reused in the rebuild.
The airframe was destroyed by Russian forces in February at Hostomel Airport near Kyiv.
Meanwhile, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Leipzig-Halle Airport in Germany has become the new base for the five Antonov An-124-100 aircraft of Antonov Airlines.
Antonov Airlines, due to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, is being forced to temporarily relocate to Leipzig, Germany from Hostomel Airport, near Kyiv.
Despite its aircraft losses, the company will continue to operate its five operational Antonov An-124-100 transports from Leipzig mainly in support of NATO and Ukraine.
Antonov Company (Antonov Airlines), following the withdraw of Russian forces, has been able to survey the damage at its Hostomel Airport base in the northwest part of suburban Kyiv.
The company issued these photos of the damage by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated Hostomel Airport from the Russian occupiers, where test flights are conducted and which is the base of Antonov Airlines.
Unfortunately, the airport is not recognizable.An-26, An-74 and An-225 planes, a control tower and an administrative building were destroyed.An-12, An-22, An-28, A132D and An-124-100-150 and hangars were destroyed.
Antonov Airport (IATA: GML, ICAO: UKKM) is owned by and named after the Antonov aircraft manufacturing company and operated by its subsidiary Antonov Airlines. The only An-225, the world’s largest operating aircraft, was based in Hostomel.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the airport became the site of an intense battle; it was temporarily held by Russian forces and sustained heavy damage to facilities and aircraft.
UkrOboronProm (Ukrainian Defense Industry) issued this statement on the only Antonov An-225 Mriya (UR-82060):
Russians destroy An-225 “Mriya”, it will be restored at the expense of the occupant.
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. It will cost over $3 billion USD 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.
Russia has hit the Mriya as a symbol of Ukraine’s aviation capabilities. An-225 “Mriya” — avia giant, which holds records for transportation of biggest commercial cargo and longest and heaviest in the history of aviation, lifting capacity. Unfortunately, these options are lost today, however they will be definitely restored. The occupiers destroyed the airplane, but they won’t be able to destroy our common dream. Mriya will definitely be reborn. The restoration is estimated to take over 3 bln USD and over 5 years. Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which has caused intentional damage to Ukraine’s aviation and the air cargo sector.
Russia has destroyed our “Mriya” ( laterally translated as “lathe “dream”), but the dream of Ukraine to get free from the occupier cannot be destroyed. We will fight for our land and our home until we win. And after the victory, we will definitely finish our new “Mriya”, which has been waiting for this in a safe place for many years. Everything will be Ukraine!” Yuriy Husyev said, General Director of Ukroboronprom.
At the time of invasion, the AN-225 Mriya was under repair at Gostomel Airport, so it did not have time to leave Ukraine.
This is totally due to war criminal Putin:
Russian State TV report from Gostomel Airport in Kyiv. Sadly An-225 completely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/9kN04Gkz91
Below is a link to a good reference article from BBC with maps showing the current battle lines in Ukraine, especially in the Kyiv metropolitan area with two major airports.
Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport (below) on the southeast side of Kyiv remains in Ukrainian control.
Hostomel Airport (below), the home of Antonov, is in Russian control but fighting continues. The status of the aircraft at this airport is unconfirmed.
Photo: Wikipedia.
Russia attacked the hangar where the only Antonov An-225 Mriya (Dream) (UR-82060) was stored at Hostomel Airport (NW of Kyiv), the home of Antonov Airlines. Shame on Russia!
Update on the information of #AN225 "Mriya" aircraft: Currently, until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft.
Antonov Airlines has safely transported 70 tons of oxygen concentrators from Tel Aviv, Israel to Delhi, India. The 2,500 concentrators were loaded on board of AN-124-100 for urgent transporting within a shot time frames.
To give additional lifting capacity Antonov Airlines will enter An-225 aircraft into commercial operation.
Antonov Airlines is the Antonov Company’s subdivision that specializes in international cargo transportation.The airlines’ fleet includes one AN-225 Mriya, seven AN-124-100 Ruslans, one AN-22 Antei, two AN-12s one AN-26 and one AN-74T.
