Destruction of Ukraine’s iconic Mriya plane: former Antonov officials face up to 15 years in prison

This was reported by the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

"The Security Service has gathered indisputable evidence of the guilt of former Antonov officials: the CEO and the head of the aviation security unit. The criminal actions of the ex-officials led to the temporary takeover of a strategically important airfield during the battles for Kyiv and the destruction of the AN-225 Mriya aircraft," the SBU said.

The indictment has now been sent to court.

According to the investigation, the former officials did not allow the National Guard of Ukraine to enter the territory of the Hostomel airport to prepare it for defense on the eve of a full-scale Russian invasion.

In January-February 2022, the defendants ordered to block the access of the Ukrainian military to the airport.

"Based on the evidence gathered, the defendants are charged under Part 2 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations)," the statement said.

The former officials are currently in custody. They face up to 15 years in prison.

• In February 2022, during the Russian offensive on Kyiv, the world's largest airplane, the An-225 Mriya, was destroyed.

• In April of the same year, Larysa Drozdova, a spokeswoman for Antonov, told Espresso that Mriya could not be lifted into the sky because of the threat of losing the crew.

• On October 18, 2022, it was reported that the SBU was investigating the circumstances of the destruction of the AN-225 Mriya aircraft, in particular why the management of Antonov did not take the necessary measures to preserve it.