Narciso Contreras | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images New images show the destruction of the largest cargo plane in the world, the Antonov An-225, after the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine. With a length of 84 meters and 175 metric tons without fuel and cargo, the aircraft was the longest and heaviest operational aircraft in the world. It had a maximum take-off weight of 640 tons. The aircraft was incredibly popular with aviation enthusiasts and people often visited airports to see its scheduled arrivals and departures. It was also a symbol of national pride for Ukraine. The only plane, which completed its first flight in 1988, was destroyed when Russian missiles attacked Hostomel Airport on the outskirts of Kiev. Destroyed on February 27, 2022 or so. Ukrainian forces regained control of the airport on April 2 after a large-scale Russian withdrawal along the Kiev axis. It is not clear what will happen to the wreckage now.
The huge plane had six jet engines and a cruising speed of 800 km / h
Formerly used for transporting military vehicles
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The plane crashed in its hangar at Hostomel Airport, near Kyiv
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The Russian bombing destroyed the plane
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In 1988 it was used as part of the Soviet space shuttle
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Antonov received many spare parts from Russian suppliers
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Boeing intervenes when supply chain dries up in 2014 after Moscow annexes Crimea
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The wingspan of the 88.4-meter aircraft was also the largest wingspan of any other aircraft in operational service.
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The number “225” is still visible on the nose of the plane
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Tanks surrounding the aircraft after its destruction
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