Secret escape: Antonov An-124 will surely end up in Leipzig despite war!

Secret escape: Antonov An-124 will surely end up in Leipzig despite war!

Leipzig, Deutschland - On July 18, 2025, the Antonov An-124 achieved a spectacular flight that went to the Polish border without a transponder signal. The plane landed safely at Leipzig/Halle Airport, directly from Kyiv. The AN-124 has an impressive length of 69 meters and a span of 73 meters. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the aircraft was modernized, whereby only parts from Ukraine or the West were used to ensure that no Russian components are installed. The message on the fuselage is particularly noteworthy: "Be brave, how to steal". This is a sign of solidarity and resistance to Russian aggression.

The return of the Antonov aircraft to Germany was strategically important, especially after Russia's troops had attacked Antonov's work airport and was destroyed by the AN-225, the world's largest freight aircraft. At the beginning of the war it was decided to transfer the Antonov fleet to Germany to protect it from further destruction. There are currently six Antonov aircraft in the temporary operations center of the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer in Leipzig.

The effects of war on the infrastructure

The Kiev Hostomel Airport, a central point of view for Antonov Airlines, was badly damaged after the withdrawal of the Russian troops at the end of March. The destruction of the airport buildings, hangars and the tower has significantly affected the company's operational ability. Many aircraft, including the AN-225 and other models such as the AN-74 and An-26, are either completely burned down or lie in ruins. Some of the AN-124 were heavily stressed in the course of the fights and have signs of fire and fire.

Despite these serious damage, Antonov Airlines does not give up. Five out of seven AN-124 are ready for use and the company continues to carry out charter flights. Human help has a high priority, and since March deliveries of relief goods from the Arab Emirates have been flown to Poland, such as the delivery of 111 tons on March 30. However, the condition of another An-124 remains unclear, since it has been in Kiev-Swjatoschyn since March 2021.

The continuation of the aviation activities

The modernized AN-124, which is now stationed in Leipzig, shows the unbroken will of the Antonov Airlines to operate even under extreme conditions. Despite the challenges, the company continues to offer its services and thus makes an important contribution to supporting Ukraine. It is to be hoped that the flights can be stabilized in the near future and Antonov Airlines has the opportunity to rebuild their bombed infrastructure.