Mriya, the “Dream”, was saved. Instead, due to the negligence of some executives of the Antonov company, the An-225 super transport aircraft was destroyed by the Russians. A tale of intertwined intelligence, alleged complicity and war at Hostomel Airport north of Kiev, the scene of the decisive battle in the first phase of the conflict.
The story of the world’s largest freighter begins before the invasion. The CIA follows Moscow’s movements, collects information about possible directions of attack and shares it with the Ukrainians. Among the clues, there is one that will prove crucial: the Russian special forces will try to take the Hostomel airstrip with a helicopter attack. As soon as the beachhead is secured, they will bring reinforcements. Zelensky’s command prepares, dispersing its units to survive the first strike and using others to block the vanguard. That’s what happens.
Spetsnaz, Chechen militiamen and airborne units capture base but fail to hold it. You lose several helicopters, probably even planes. You will be forced to leave again and abandon the plan to reach the capital. They leave the burned-out fuselage of the Antonov An-225 parked in a large maintenance hangar. A hard hit. 84 meters long, wingspan of 88, 6 engines, with a lifting capacity of 250 tons was the largest aircraft in the world. Built in Soviet times to support the logistics of Moscow’s space program, it was soon decommissioned. Subsequently, in 2001, he returned to active civilian duties in Ukraine. A long way through different «seasons». The big ambitions of the Kremlin, the collapse of the USSR, the new markets where things and goods can be transported. It couldn’t be forgotten.
The conflict has dictated its agenda, but security services have been investigating to understand what happened to Mriya after the last mission, February 2-5, when I was carrying 90 tons of Covid tests from Tianjin, China to Billund, Denmark , brought. In her hands was a piece of paper. Important. Serhii Bychkov, general director of the Antonov company, and two officials, alerted to the looming threat, ordered the jet and half a dozen other aircraft to be secured. They had to reach the airport in Leipzig, Germany, which has become the temporary hub for the global transportation company. The conditions and times for this were given. The plane had full fuel tanks, the crew was ready, the technical parts were in excellent condition.
Investigation found cargo insurance would have been bad, hence damage and insult: over $220 million. And then there is the military aspect. According to local media reports, the trio would have created obstacles for Guards units sent to Hostomel to reinforce the defences. The scope of the allegations goes beyond negligence and appears to suggest collusion with Russia, albeit not officially. It is well known how Putin’s spies have recruited hundreds of collaborators and “cultivated” ties with establishment figures in Ukraine, a fifth column that was supposed to facilitate the takeover of the country but failed in its mission. Now the three risk a prison sentence of 15 years if found guilty.
Mriya’s adventure remains suspended. Ukrainians may one day try to build a new model if they have the opportunity and find the necessary funds, which are estimated at around 500 million euros. In recent weeks, photos of the “remnants” have been appearing on the web again, accompanied by hopes for a restart of the project: an understandable desire for an aircraft that will be not only a unique vehicle, but also a symbol. Today, however, the priorities are different.