By Rahul Somvanshi
In a tragic blow to aviation history, the iconic Antonov An-225 "Mriya" was decimated during Russia's invasion of Ukraine's Hostomel Airport in 2022.
While a second Mriya was envisioned, the turbulence post the Soviet Union's collapse left it 70% complete, its wings yet to fully embrace the skies.
After a period of dormancy, the legendary bird was reborn in 2001, serving as Antonov Airlines' trusted steed, ferrying cargo across the blue yonder.
Plans to resurrect the Mriya are in the winds, with an estimated price tag of $502 million, as captured in poignant images by Ukrainian photographer Igor Lesiv.
Among its many accolades, the An-225 etched its name in history in 2009, airlifting a colossal Alstom generator stator weighing 174 tons to Armenia, showcasing its unparalleled might in the aviation realm.