Russia destroys the only Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, during its invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine named the Antonov AN-225 aircraft as “Mriya” or “Dream.” An enormous aircraft, it was powered by six engines and had attained a cult status. It was undergoing repairs at an airfield near Kyiv when the "Russian occupants" attacked and damaged it. The authorities in Ukraine want to rebuild it and says Russia would have to foot the bill of around $3 billion USD. The restoration would require over five years. Ukrainian state defense company Ukroboronprom, manages the Antonov AN-225 and it has been in service for more than three decades ever since the days of the Soviet Union. The incident has affected Ukraine's aviation and air cargo sectors.


The AN-225 has played important roles to help airlift aid during crises in other countries. After the Haiti earthquake of 2010, it delivered relief supplies to the neighboring Dominican Republic. In the initial days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the aircraft ferried medical supplies to affected areas. Until now, the Kiev-based Antonov Company built only one AN-225. Its first flight was in 1988 and has been in service ever since. The story of this marvelous aircraft began in the 1960 and '70s. It stemmed from a need to transport large and heavy loads from their places of assembly to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This was the sprawling spaceport in the deserts of Kazakhstan. It was from here that Yuri Gagarin was launched into space in 1961.
Source -

edition.cnn.com dated 28/2/2022

6.4-magnitude quake in Taiwan on 1st day of Chinese New Year leaves at least 11 dead

It was a devastating earthquake that spoiled the Chinese New Year festivities for Taiwan - at least 11 people have died after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan in the early hours resulting in the collapse of a 17-storey apartment building.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 6 February 2016.

Emergency crews have been deployed and are working to free hundreds of people who are feared to be trapped in the debris after the quake struck the southern city of Tainan at around 4am - it was the start of the Chinese New Year holidays.
Rescue workers have confirmed that 378 people were injured across the city in the quake, with 230 being pulled from the rubble. The remaining injuries are believed to be due to falling debris. Nearly 1,200 firemen and soldiers have been marshaled to deal with the sudden crisis, and are now focusing their rescue efforts on the 17-storey building, where many more people are believed to still be trapped.
Many more buildings in nine other locations in the city of 2 million people have also collapsed and five were left tilting at alarming angles. The initial quake that had struck early morning was very shallow, at depth of 6.2 miles (10 km), which would have amplified its effects - this has been informed by the United States Geographical Survey.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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