<strong>Broken dreams:</strong> The wreckage of the AN-225, known in Ukranian as Mriya, or Dream, has been revealed after Russian troops deserted an airfield outside Kyiv.
Broken dreams: The wreckage of the AN-225, known in Ukranian as Mriya, or Dream, has been revealed after Russian troops deserted an airfield outside Kyiv.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
<strong>End of a legend: </strong>The AN-225 was the world's largest commercial airplane, capable of carrying huge payloads. It had cult status in the aviation world.
End of a legend: The AN-225 was the world's largest commercial airplane, capable of carrying huge payloads. It had cult status in the aviation world.
Vasco Cotovio/CNN
<strong>Beyond repair: </strong>It's not clear how the airplane was destroyed -- whether a deliberate act of sabotage or whether it suffered collateral damage in the offensive to capture the airfield.
Beyond repair: It's not clear how the airplane was destroyed -- whether a deliberate act of sabotage or whether it suffered collateral damage in the offensive to capture the airfield.
Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
<strong>Recaptured airfield: </strong>Ukrainian troops have now recaptured Hostomel airfield from the Russians who took control of it in the first week of conflict in late February.
Recaptured airfield: Ukrainian troops have now recaptured Hostomel airfield from the Russians who took control of it in the first week of conflict in late February.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
<strong>Price tag: </strong>Ukrainian officials have said they will rebuild the airplane, putting the cost of reconstruction at $3 billion.<br />
Price tag: Ukrainian officials have said they will rebuild the airplane, putting the cost of reconstruction at $3 billion.
Gleb Garanich/Reuters
<strong>Space role: </strong>The airplane was built in the 1980s, originally to support the Soviet space shuttle program. In more recent times it's been used to make large cargo deliveries, including medical equipment to help with the Covid pandemic.
Space role: The airplane was built in the 1980s, originally to support the Soviet space shuttle program. In more recent times it's been used to make large cargo deliveries, including medical equipment to help with the Covid pandemic.
Gleb Garanich/Reuters
<strong>Burned-out engine: </strong>One of the AN-225's six huge turbofan jet engines has been completely destroyed.
Burned-out engine: One of the AN-225's six huge turbofan jet engines has been completely destroyed.
Vasco Cotovio/CNN
<strong>Undercarriage: </strong>Some of the AN-225's enormous central train of 28 wheels can still be seen intact despite the destruction wrought on the rest of the aircraft.
Undercarriage: Some of the AN-225's enormous central train of 28 wheels can still be seen intact despite the destruction wrought on the rest of the aircraft.
Vasco Cotovio/CNN
<strong>Fallen icon: </strong>News of the AN-225's destruction sent shock waves through the aviation world. The aircraft had drawn huge crowds whenever it appeared at airshows, or even made deliveries.
Fallen icon: News of the AN-225's destruction sent shock waves through the aviation world. The aircraft had drawn huge crowds whenever it appeared at airshows, or even made deliveries.
Mikhail Palinchak/Reuters
<strong>AN-225 memories: </strong>The gigantic AN-225 in flight in 2020. The airplane had been in Ukraine for maintenance when it was destroyed.
AN-225 memories: The gigantic AN-225 in flight in 2020. The airplane had been in Ukraine for maintenance when it was destroyed.
Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images