Footage shows Russian military helicopters flying over the Hostomel Airport in Ukraine – amid fears the world’s largest plane the Antonov AN-225 Mriya has been destroyed in the conflict.

The iconic cargo jet is stored at the airport, where fierce fighting broke out following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday (February 24). Reports claimed that the hanger, where the six-engine jet was being stored, caught fire.

However, a pilot connected to the airport reportedly claimed on Thursday evening that the aircraft was safe but the Hostomel Airport had been taken by Russian forces, who are now in possession of the Antonov AN-225.

Geo-mapping confirmed that the Russian military helicopters had converged on the airport.

Several helicopters, believed to be flown by Russian troops, were seen on February 24 heading in the direction of the Hostomel Airport, which houses the massive Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo aircraft.

Footage shows Russian military helicopters flying over the Hostomel Airport in Ukraine – amid fears the world’s largest plane the Antonov AN-225 Mriya has been destroyed in the conflict.

The iconic cargo jet is stored at the airport, where fierce fighting broke out following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday February 24. Reports claimed that the hanger, where the six-engine jet was being stored, caught fire.

However, a pilot connected to the airport reportedly claimed on Thursday evening that the aircraft was safe but the Hostomel Airport, also called the Gostomel Airport, had been taken by Russian forces, who are now in possession of the Antonov AN-225.

Geo-mapping confirmed that the Russian military helicopters had converged on the airport.

Antonov pilot Dmytro said: ‘Gostomel airport is now under Russian airborne forces. There is a big possibility large planes will land tonight. On a positive note, the Mriya is whole.’

Several helicopters, believed to be flown by Russian troops, were seen on February 24 heading in the direction of the Hostomel Airport, which houses the massive Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo aircraft.

The Antonov An-225 in the Kyiv Oblast is registered as UR-82060. It reportedly first flew on December 21, 1988, but is seldom flown due to its size.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine’s Donbas region. He said in a public address on Thursday: ‘We decided to launch a special military action aimed at demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.’

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it had killed ‘around 50 Russian occupiers’ while the large-scale attack left at least 137 civilians and soldiers dead, and 316 more injured.