The largest plane in the world has been destroyed in Ukraine. See what the wreckage looks like. | Today Headlines

At the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Antonov An-225 “Mriya”, the largest aircraft in the world, was destroyed in a Russian attack on Antonov airport near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv .

The plane, 275 feet long with a wingspan of 290 feet, could carry 550,000 pounds of cargo, according to the plane’s builder, Antonov Co., which would also make it the heaviest plane in the world. By comparison, the Boeing 747-8, one of the largest commercial aircraft in service, is 250 feet long with a wingspan of 224 feet.

In use since 1988, Mriya has recently been used primarily to transport medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ukrainian aerospace and defense company Ukroboronprom confirmed the wreckage in a February 27 Facebook post, saying the plane was being repaired at the airport, so it had no time to flee before the attack. be restored,” estimating that it would take more than five years and cost around $3 billion.

“The invaders destroyed the plane, but they will not be able to destroy our common dream. It will surely be reborn,” Ukroboronprom wrote.

As Ukrainian troops guarded the entrance to Antonov Airport to protect the runway, the wreckage of the Mriya could be seen under a hangar, riddled with holes from the February attack.

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Contributors: Ella Lee, Karina Zaiets, George Petras, Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY; Associated press

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos show wreckage of world’s largest plane in Ukraine