Antonov An-225: world's largest plane destroyed in Ukraine to be rebuilt

About 30 per cent of the components of the original aircraft can be used after February's attack by Russian forces

The wreckage of an Antonov AN-225, the world's biggest aircraft, sits under a steel shelter at Gostomel airfield near Kyiv in April 2022. EPA

The cargo plane, named Mriya (which means Dream in Ukrainian), was destroyed during a heavy battle with Russian troops at the airfield earlier this year. Reuters

The Soviet-era plane was a symbol of Ukraine's identity and was cherished by aviation enthusiasts. AP

Poland's Minister of Interior and Administration Mariusz Kaminski stands near the heavily damaged plane on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP

The Ukrainian plane had six engines, 32 wheels and wingspan that matched the length of a football pitch. AP

A Ukrainian man searches for unexploded explosives near the damaged plane. AP

The aircraft's role in the aviation industry took on greater significance amid the coronavirus pandemic, as it delivered tonne after tonne of vital aid to countries worldwide. AP

The Mriya entered commercial service in 2001 and was originally developed to transport the Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space shuttle. AP

The aircraft could carry a maximum payload of 250,000 kilograms, and had a wingspan of 88 metres. Its size meant it could fit a helicopter or haulage lorry inside. AFP

Ukrainian soldiers stand in front of the destroyed plane. Reuters

The aircraft was more than seven metres longer than a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 11 metres longer than the Airbus A380-800, the largest passenger plane. AFP

It was the only Antonov An-225 in the world. AP

A second version was in the making and reached about 70 per cent completion in the mid-2000s before progress was halted because of the cost involved. AP

Since its first flight in 1988, it claimed 242 world records, according to Antonov Airlines. AP

The Mriya touched down at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport in May 2016 after visiting Perth in Australia to deliver a 117-tonne generator. AFP

The Mriya was so large that the length of its cargo hold was longer than the Wright brothers’ first flight, from take-off to landing. Reuters

It cost around $30,000 an hour to hire the plane. Reuters

The world's largest plane, the Antonov An-225 — severely damaged by Russian forces in Ukraine earlier this year — will be rebuilt, the aircraft manufacturer has said.

The aircraft, known as Mriya, was almost destroyed at the Antonov Airport in Hostomel, near Kiev in February.

However, state-owned Antonov has issued a statement on its Facebook page with an update on plans to restore the plane.

"Currently, construction work in this direction has begun," it said.

"According to the available expert estimate, there are currently about 30 per cent of the components that can be used for the second model aircraft. The cost of building the plane is estimated at least €500 million ($500m). However, it's early to talk about a certain amount."

It added that more detailed information will be shared "after Ukraine's victory in the war".

Reports claiming that work was already under way were inaccurate, Antonov said.

Ukraine's state-owned defence conglomerate Ukroboronprom said in February that the aircraft would "definitely" be rebuilt, with restoration estimated to take more than $3bn and five years.

Initially, the condition of the aircraft was only known from satellite images, which showed damage to its hangar.

Antonov said that its technical condition could not be reported until experts had inspected it.

Antonov moved its operational base from Kyiv-Antonov airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, to Leipzig, Germany in May due to the damage at the site.

Antonov An-225's role in aviation

With its six engines, 32 wheels and a wingspan that matches the length of a football pitch, the Antonov An-225 has claimed 242 world records since it started flying in 1988, according to Antonov.

Its role in the aviation industry took on greater significance amid the coronavirus pandemic, as it delivered tonne after tonne of vital aid to countries worldwide.

Mriya ("dream" in Ukrainian) entered commercial service in 2001 and was originally developed to transport the Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space shuttle.

The aircraft could carry a maximum payload of 250 tonnes and had a wingspan of 88 metres. Its size meant it could fit a helicopter or haulage lorry inside.

The next biggest commercial airliner is the Boeing 747-8F, which can handle up to 150 tonnes. Sandwiched between is the An-124, which can handle up to 150 tonnes but has a single deck, in contrast to the 747-8F, which has both the main deck and lower cargo hold.

The Airbus BelugaXL, shaped like a whale and complete with a smiley face, is bigger than the Antonov in one respect: at 63 metres long and 8 metres wide, it has the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft.