The world's largest airplane may have been destroyed in Ukraine
Mixed reports have emerged in recent days suggesting that the Antonov An-225, the world's largest non-military aircraft, may have been destroyed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Rumors of the aircraft's demise began circulating shortly after the attack commenced last week, when Russian missiles began raining down on Ukranian cities and supply depots, including air bases.
On Sunday, the Ukroboronprom, a Ukranian defense conglomerate, issued a statement saying that the plane had been destroyed at the Antonov airfield in Gosomel near Kyiv, where the plane was under repair.
"It will cost over [$3 billion] to restore the plane, the restoration shall be time consuming," Ukroboronprom said in a statement said. "Ukraine will make every effort to ensure that the aggressor state pays for these works."
A state-run Twitter account also said that the aircraft had been destroyed.
"They burned the biggest plane, but our Mriya [dream] will never perish," a graphic posted by the @Ukraine account said. Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, also tweeted that the plane had been destroyed.
Later on Sunday, however, Ukroboronprom issued a second statement appearing to partially walk back some of the details in the first.
"Currently it is impossible to assess the plane’s condition and the possibility and cost of its restoring due the lack of access to the aircraft as the control over the airport is taken by the Russian occupiers," the second statement read. "We'll inform you when there are any news."
Ukrainian aerospace firm Antonov, which owns and maintains the aircraft, similarly tweeted on Sunday that "until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft."
The An-225 first flew in December 1988. At 276 feet long, with a wingspan of 290 feet, the six-engine airplane held numerous records for size, including the largest wingspan and greatest weight of any aircraft put into operational service.
It was originally built as an extended version of the existing An-124 cargo jet, designed to carry Soviet spacecraft and rocket components.
In recent years, the plane has been used for unique heavy airlift support, including carrying supplies on humanitarian missions, turbines for windmills, fully assembled generators, armored vehicles, aircraft components and more. It transported relief supplies in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and carried medical supplies early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction was started on a second plane, but it was never completed.
Read more: A Tour Inside the Largest Operating Aircraft in the World — the Antonov An-225
The plane has been a subject of fascination for AvGeeks and transportation enthusiasts around the world, who would track its location and scheduled service and travel to different airports just to get a glimpse of it.
TPG had a chance to tour the plane in 2018 and found it to be even bigger up close.
The damage or destruction done to the airplane obviously pales in comparison to the death, destruction and suffering being inflicted in Ukraine, but underscores the destruction caused by the war there.
Please be sure to see our guide on how to help the Ukrainian people as the Russian invasion continues.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.