The Antonov An-225 Mriya, once hailed as the grand behemoth of aircraft, was a true feat of engineering. With a staggering length of 275 feet (84 m) and an impressive wingspan of 290 feet (88.4 m), this Soviet-made plane was specifically built to transport the Buran shuttle for the Soviet space program. The Mriya’s exceptional hauling capacity, thanks to its six enormous turbofan engines and colossal wingspan, set a world record in 2001 when it lifted an astounding 253 tonnes into the sky.
Throughout its lifetime, the An-225 continued to break records, such as carrying the world’s longest object airborne in 2010, a wind turbine blade, and serving as a host to the highest art exhibit in 2012 for Ukrainian artists. However, the An-225’s impressive legacy was cut short due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian forces attacked Antonov Airport and set the plane ablaze, leaving it completely destroyed and riddled with bullet holes.
Despite the tragic loss, Ukraine has vowed to rebuild the An-225. Initially, it was suggested that Russia would finance the restoration of the original Mriya, but a more practical plan was settled upon to complete the second An-225 airframe that was never finished after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Antonov estimates that the completion of the second An-225 will require a hefty sum of $500 million, a daunting cost in the midst of an ongoing war.
