Ukrainian military cargo plane, world's largest, just flew over me (plane spotter image)

[orangecrush]

Last edited Wed Feb 25, 2026, 10:20 AM - Edit history (1)

Coming from Canada, looks like




[url=https://ibb.co/TDwGm3tZ][img][/img][/url]

"The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a massive, four-engine strategic heavy-lift aircraft, widely considered the world's largest operational cargo plane following the destruction of the An-225. Designed in the 1980s by the Antonov design bureau in the USSR, it features a 150-tonne payload capacity, specialized "kneeling" landing gear for loading, and front/rear cargo"

The former world's largest cargo plane was destroyed by the russians. It was also Ukrainian built. This is a symbol of Ukrainess national pride.

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"Yes, the Antonov An-124 was built in Ukraine, as well as in Russia, during the Soviet era. Production was carried out jointly by the Kyiv Aviation Plant AVIANT in Ukraine and Aviastar-SP in Ulyanovsk, Russia. While designed by the Ukrainian-based Antonov Design Bureau, production began in the late 1970s, with many factories across the USSR contributing."
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+4
"Key details regarding the manufacturing of the An-124:
Production Locations: The aircraft was manufactured simultaneously at the Kyiv Aviation Plant in Ukraine and the Aviastar-SP factory in Russia.
Design Bureau: The Antonov ASTC (Antonov Design Bureau) is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Manufacturing Timeline: Construction of the production facilities began in 1973, with manufacturing starting in 1979.
Post-Soviet Era: Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine retained the Antonov company and continued to maintain, modernize, and operate the aircraft.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
+5
Although some manufacturing took place in Russia, the aircraft is widely recognized as a Ukrainian-designed and largely produced aircraft, with the main manufacturer, Antonov, being a Ukrainian state-owned."

"https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/an124/"