Ukraine’s Antonov-225 freight jet, the world’s largest plane, was destroyed by Russian attacks near Kyiv on the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion, according to Ukraine’s state-owned Ukroboronprom organisation.
“Russian invaders destroyed the flagship of Ukrainian aviation, the AN-225”, the organisation stated in a statement, referring to the Antonov airfield in Gostomel, near Kyiv.
The aircraft was one-of-a-kind in the world, measuring 84 metres (276 feet) in length and capable of transporting up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of cargo at a top speed of 850 kilometres per hour (528 mph).
It was given the name “Mriya,” which translates to “dream” in Ukrainian.
“The AN-225 Mriya was the world’s biggest aeroplane,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on Sunday.
“Our Mriya may have been destroyed by Russia. They will, however, never be able to derail our vision of a robust, free, and democratic European state. We’re going to win! “He added.