Until February 27, 2022, The An-225 "Mriya" was the world's largest and most powerful transport aircraft created by the Ukrainian State Enterprise Antonov in 1988.

"Mriya" was destroyed by the Russian army during the Battle for Hostomel Airport, which lasted from February 24 to March 31, 2022.

On February 24, units of the Armed Forces and the National Guard of Ukraine were among the first to take up the fight against the Russian invaders at the Hostomel airport. After all, the airport was a strategically important facility — located 10 kilometers from Kyiv and capable of receiving military aircraft. Capturing the airfield in Hostomel could have significantly expanded the Russian military's ability to establish control over the Ukrainian capital.

Russian forces used numerous Mi-8 and Ka-52 helicopters, several hundred airborne troops, two Su-25, 200 helicopters, lots of tanks and armored vehicles, also ground troops in the two assaults on the airport, which significantly exceeded the equipment of the Ukrainian military.

Ukrainian defenders managed to repel the first Russian attack in Gostomel. Without enough ammunition to repel the second assault, Ukrainian soldiers were ordered to retreat. As they retreated, Ukrainian artillery damaged the airport runway, thus blocking enemy planes from landing with troops and material resources to advance the offensive and allowing Kyiv to resist.

Date of the event: February 27, 2022