File footage of Ukraine’s An-225 as plans continue to restore the world’s largest aircraft

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Archival footage shows the Antonov An-225 Mriya, Ukraine’s iconic heavy-lift plane, before it was destroyed by Russian forces during fighting at Hostomel airport in 2022. Ukrainian officials and Antonov have repeatedly said they are committed to rebuilding the An-225, restoring the aircraft’s legacy as the world’s largest operational airplane and a symbol of Ukrainian engineering. The An-225, known as Mriya — Ukrainian for “Dream” — played a unique role in global aviation, transporting oversized and critical cargo worldwide before its destruction. While no firm timeline has been announced, Antonov has said work toward reviving the aircraft is ongoing, fueled by international support and donations. The date of the footage shown could not be independently verified.