• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Ukraine Vows To Rebuild World's Biggest Plane And Will Force Russia To Pay For It

Home> News

Published 14:56 5 Apr 2022 GMT+1

Ukraine Vows To Rebuild World's Biggest Plane And Will Force Russia To Pay For It

The world's largest plane was destroyed at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Ukraine has vowed to rebuild the world's biggest plane that was destroyed by Putin's army early in the invasion, and will force Russia to pay for it.

The Antonov-225 Mriya - nicknamed 'the Dream' - was burnt down at the Hostomel airport near Kyiv in February, at the start of the invasion.

The massive cargo plane measures 275 feet (84 meters) long, boasts a 288-foot (88 meters) wingspan, weighs 314 tonnes and operates with six engines.

Alamy

Advert

State arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom had suggested it could cost more than $3 billion (£2.24 billion) to repair the plane, which they would try to get Russia to pay. 

Ukroboronprom boss Yuri Gusev, 42, said: "The Russians destroyed An-225 'Dream, it will be restored at the expense of the occupant.

"Russian invaders destroyed the flagman of Ukrainian aviation - the legendary An-225 'Dream'. 

"This happened at Antonov Airport in Gostomel near Kyiv, where the plane was. 

Advert

"Its restoration will cost more than $3 billion and will take a long time. Ukraine will put all its efforts to make these work paid by the state-aggressor.

"The invaders destroyed the plane but they can't destroy our common dream. She will surely be reborn."

The wreckage of the world's largest cargo plane Antonov An-225.
Getty Images

He claims that Ukraine's 'task is to make these costs covered by the Russian Federation, which caused deliberate damage to Ukrainian aviation and freight aviation sector'.

Advert

"Russia destroyed our 'Dream', but the dream of free from occupant Ukraine is impossible to destroy. 

"We will fight for our land and our home to a victorious end." 

The maker of the plane, the Antonov Company, said: "Currently, until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft."

Getty Images

Advert

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba added: "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!"

The Antonov An-225 Mriya was designed and built in Ukraine in the 1980s by the Antonov Corporation and was originally designed by the Soviet Union when it controlled Ukraine as a Socialist republic. 

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Ukraine, Russia

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish has an MA in Multimedia Journalism and is passionate about delivering sarcastic/mildly amusing content. After studying business at undergrad, Anish realised that he’d much prefer getting paid to rant about a topic, rather than to find a solution to it. Apart from that, he loves the ‘Four F’s’, as he calls it - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Scientists discover mysterious inscription on ancient tomb that could reveal Count Dracula's final resting place

    The Impaler may have not died on the battlefield after all...

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Putin’s transport minister found dead ‘with gunshot wound’ just hours after it was revealed he was fired

    The former transport minister was reportedly sacked on Monday

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Woman loses her arm after horrifying lion attack at popular zoo

    The woman lost her arm as a result of her injuries

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Shocking update on dire wolves brought back from extinction reveal they more than doubled in size

    The pups are doing great.

    News