Extract from ABC News
Russia has "destroyed" the world's biggest cargo plane, Antonov-225 Mriya, according to Ukrainian authorities, who have vowed to rebuild the aircraft.
Key points:
- Ukraine's state arms manufacturer said the aircraft was burnt during Russian shelling at Antonov airfield in Hostomel
- Russia has not confirmed the attack, but heavy fighting was witnessed in the area last week
- Designed in the 1980s, the aircraft is the longest and heaviest ever built
The plane, dubbed "Mriya", which is Ukrainian for "the dream", was hit by Russian troops on an airfield near Kyiv, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said.
"Russia may have destroyed our Mriya. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state," Mr Kuleba said.
Ukrainian state arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom said the aircraft was burnt during Russian shelling at Antonov airfield in Hostomel, near Kyiv, where it had been undergoing maintenance.
Aircraft manufacturer Antonov Company said: "Until the An-225 is reviewed by experts, we cannot report the technical condition."
Russia has not publicly confirmed the attack, but heavy fighting was witnessed at Hostomel airfield, north-west of the capital, last week.
Aerial images also show what appears to be significant air-strike damage and grassfires near the Antonov Airport.
The longest and heaviest aircraft ever built
The plane became well known due to its size, and even visited Australia in 2016.
Designed in the 1980s, it is the longest and heaviest aircraft ever built. It also boasts the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service.
Ukroboronprom said its restoration was estimated to take more than $US3 billion ($4.17 billion) and five years to complete.
"Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which has caused intentional damage to Ukraine's aviation and the air cargo sector," it said in a statement.
ABC/Reuters
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