World's largest plane 'Mriya' destroyed by Russia 

Kyiv: The largest plane in the world – Ukraine's Antonov-225 cargo plane – has been destroyed by Russian strikes outside Kyiv, Ukraine's state-owned Ukroboronprom group said.   

According to Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, the Antonov-225 cargo plane was destroyed by Russian strikes outside Kyiv on the fourth day of Moscow's invasion.  

Kuleba turned to twitter and wrote, "Russia may have destroyed our 'Mriya'. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state". 

"We shall prevail!" he added. 

This was the world’s largest aircraft, AN-225 ‘Mriya’ (‘Dream’ in Ukrainian). Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya’. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail! pic.twitter.com/TdnBFlj3N8

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 27, 2022

The AN-225 made its first flight in 1988. The 84m (276 feet) aircraft, was able to transport up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of cargo at a speed of up to 850kmh (528 mph).   

It had been named "Mriya", which means "dream" in Ukrainian. 

The biggest plane in the world "Mriya" (The Dream) was destroyed by Russian occupants on an airfield near Kyiv. We will rebuild the plane. We will fulfill our dream of a strong, free, and democratic Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Gy6DN8E1VR

— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 27, 2022

Initially, it was built as part of the Soviet aeronautical programme and used to transfer Soviet spacecraft. It was also used to transport large amounts of humanitarian aid around the world, especially at short notice.

However, after the fall of Soviet Union the aircraft has not been operational for many years. 

It did make a test flight in 2001 in Gostomel, about 20km from Kyiv. 

It has been operated by Ukraine's Antonov Airlines for cargo flights and was in high demand during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.