Ukraine claimed on Sunday that Russia has destroyed the world’s largest aeroplane, “a symbol of hope in the darkest hours of COVID.”
The plane’s name was “Mriya,” which means “dream” in Ukrainian. Mriya, the world’s largest plane, was a symbol of hope during COVID’s darkest hours, transporting massive quantities of life-saving vaccine and personal protective equipment throughout the globe.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Twitter,” It is now destroyed by Russian invaders in its war against Ukraine and the wider world.” Ukraine has been under attack for the past five days as a result of Moscow’s “full-scale invasion.”
On Twitter, foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote, “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.”
A symbol of hope in the darkest hours of COVID, 🇺🇦’s Mriya (Dream), the world’s largest plane, carried vast quantities of life-saving vaccine and PPE around the globe. It is now destroyed by Russian invaders in its war against Ukraine and the wider world#StopRussianAggression pic.twitter.com/rXMkfO9qWc
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) February 27, 2022
The jet was destroyed just outside of Kyiv. It was 84 metres (276 feet) long and capable of transporting up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of goods at a top speed of 850 kilometres per hour (528 mph). Antonov Airlines of Ukraine operated the cargo plane.
The biggest plane in the world "Mriya" (The Dream) was destroyed by Russian occupants on an airfield near Kyiv. We will rebuild the plane. We will fulfill our dream of a strong, free, and democratic Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Gy6DN8E1VR
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 27, 2022
Ukraine has stated that the plane would be rebuilt after the war ends. The restoration of ‘Mriya’ is expected to cost more than $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) and take five years. The Ukrainian Government is planning to sue the Russian Army for compensation.