A Ukrainian soldier walks past an Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft.
In the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest aircraft, was destroyed in a Russian attack on Antonov Airport near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
The aircraft, 275 feet long with a 290-foot wingspan, could carry 550,000 pounds of cargo, according to aircraft manufacturer Antonov Co., which would also make it the world’s heaviest aircraft. In comparison, the Boeing 747-8, one of the largest airliners in service, is 250 feet long with a wingspan of 224 feet.
Mriya has been in service since 1988 and lately has been used primarily to transport medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ukrainian aerospace and defense company Ukroboronprom confirmed the wreckage in a February 27 Facebook post and said the plane was being repaired at the airport so it didn’t have time to flee before the attack, but the company said it was Plane “will definitely be restored,” estimated to take more than five years and cost about $3 billion.
“The invaders destroyed the plane, but they will not be able to destroy our common dream. She will surely be reborn,” wrote Ukroboronprom.
As Ukrainian troops guarded the entrance to Antonov Airport to protect the runway, the wreckage of the Mriya could be seen under a hangar riddled with holes from the February attack.
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A Ukrainian soldier watches the Antonov An-225 Mriya plane.
A Ukrainian soldier touches the nose of the destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya plane.
Ukrainian soldiers stand next to the destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya plane.
A Ukrainian soldier walks past the Antonov An-225.
Ukrainian soldiers walk past an Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft.
Ukrainian soldiers shout patriotic slogans against the backdrop of the destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft.
Ukrainian soldiers walk past the destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya plane.
Featuring: Ella Lee, Karina Zaiets, George Petras, Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY; Associated Press
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos show the wreckage of the world’s largest plane in Ukraine