Ukraine's Largest Cargo Plane Destroyed in Russian Attack

Antonov AN-225. [Photo by YouTube screenshot]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The world's largest cargo aircraft, Ukraine's Antonov AN-225, was destroyed in a Russian attack.

The official Twitter account of the Ukrainian government announced on the 28th (local time), "The Antonov AN-225 was destroyed by Russians at an airport near Kyiv."

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, said, "It was likely destroyed by Russia," adding, "But they cannot shatter our dream of a free and democratic European country."

The Antonov AN-225 had been stored in the Hostomel area, a military stronghold northwest of Kyiv. Russian forces seized the airbase in this area on the 24th.

According to photos released by Maxar Technologies, a U.S. commercial satellite technology company, part of the hangar where the AN-225 was stored was severely damaged.

NASA also detected fires in several locations within the airport, including the hangar where the AN-225 was kept. The fire in the hangar occurred at 11:13 a.m. the previous day.

However, it has not been confirmed whether the fire was caused by an explosion due to a military attack.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.