Ukrainian secret flight: Antonov giant lands in Leipzig - alarm in Russia!

Ukrainian secret flight: Antonov giant lands in Leipzig - alarm in Russia!

On July 11, 2025, a Ukrainian airline “Antonow Airlines” “Antonow 124 Ruslan” aircraft landed at Leipzig-Halle Airport. This flight surprised the public because it was carried out entirely without a transponder signal and involved unusually close circumstances. Russian airspace over Ukraine has been closed to civilian aircraft since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, making this flight particularly notable. The departure was filmed by numerous people, which was widely reported by the media in Ukraine. With the arrival of the aircraft in Leipzig, Antonow Airlines' fleet will increase to a total of six active aircraft.

The flight, registration UR-82073, took place at 2:38 p.m. local time. The Antonov had been parked at the Kiev-Sviatoshyn plant for maintenance since March 13, 2021 and was not moved after the attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. For months, the large cargo plane was an easy target for repressive measures, but observers say the An-124 went unnoticed during its preparation. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force, which had previously carried out attacks on the Sviatoshyn plant but was unsuccessful in destroying the An-124.

Surprising landing in Leipzig

The An-124 first flew to the Polish border before entering Polish airspace, where the flight path could be traced. Russian bloggers and critics expressed great concern about the "sad incident" and pointed out that Russian forces failed to shoot down the plane after takeoff. It is feared that these machines could now be used to transport weapons from all over the world to Rzeszów in Poland, a central hub for arms imports to Ukraine. The Russian Army appears to have failed to adequately monitor the airspace over Ukrainian airports, leading to this unnoticed evacuation.

In the restricted airspace over Kiev, the An-124 may be expected to display the modernized engines, which are equipped with serrated thrusters to reduce noise emissions. This technology could represent a crucial improvement for Antonow Airlines' fleet and was only successfully completed in June 2025 after modernizations were delayed several times by the war. The increasing development represents a turning point for the Ukrainian aviation industry, which has faced enormous challenges since the beginning of the conflict.

Prospects and classification

The flight itself was a clear demonstration of the resilience of Ukrainian aviation, and eyewitnesses reported the An-124 flying low over Kiev, drawing astonishment from both civilians and the Russian army. While Russian bloggers criticized air security, Western observers stressed that a target as large and visible as the An-124 should not have gone undetected in the air. This could call into question the Russian military's tactics and strategies in the future.

The flight opens new opportunities for the Ukrainian airline and shows the importance of transporting essential goods, including possibly military equipment, in the ongoing conflict situation. The development of these airlift capabilities will significantly impact both Ukraine's strategic position and the dynamics within the conflict.