In a covert operation, a fully modernized Antonov An-124 was flown out of Ukraine and safely landed in Germany. The giant cargo aircraft touched down under the cover of night at Leipzig/Halle Airport—marking a feat of technical achievement, strategic coordination, and national resilience. However, the journey to that moment was long and complex.
On an otherwise routine Friday at Leipzig/Halle Airport, typically dominated by the arrivals and departures of DHL’s yellow-painted cargo jets, normal operations paused briefly for a significant event. A special arrival had been discreetly planned and kept secret until the very last minute. Only a small, pre-informed group of airport staff and representatives from the Ukrainian side were present when, at approximately 14:33, a majestic Antonov An-124 with the registration UR-82073 landed. Painted white with blue and yellow stripes symbolizing the Ukrainian flag, the aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water salute from the airport fire brigade.
Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, the aircraft had remained grounded. Images of burning planes at Kyiv-Hostomel Airport had circulated globally at the time—most notably those of the destroyed Antonov An-225 “Mriya,” the world’s largest aircraft, which was reduced to ashes in its hangar. The loss of the legendary plane and the destruction of Antonov’s central base became iconic symbols of Russia’s violent military escalation. But now, Ukraine has delivered a different message—one of reconstruction rather than loss.
The UR-82073 was not destroyed during the Russian assault. It had already been disassembled for an extensive overhaul prior to the invasion. Over several years and under the most challenging conditions, Ukrainian engineers rebuilt the aircraft using Western-manufactured components. The refurbishment included new engine control systems, electronic equipment, and a host of modernized elements, marking a significant technical and political milestone.
Extracting the massive aircraft from Ukrainian territory posed considerable risks. As Oleksandr Grytsenko, a longtime Antonov manager and current head of Antonov’s developing operations in Leipzig, explained, the flight had to be planned and executed with complete secrecy. The departure occurred in full awareness of the possibility of Russian airstrikes at any time, requiring the utmost operational caution.
Even on this first post-restoration flight, the aircraft carried a message on its fuselage: beneath the cockpit windows, the phrase “BE BRAVE LIKE IRPIN” was boldly displayed. The inscription refers to the Ukrainian city of Irpin, which endured fierce fighting and gained international attention in spring 2022 for its courageous resistance against Russian forces. For now, UR-82073 will undergo test flights in Leipzig. Due to its extensive technical upgrades, including a new avionics suite and flight control systems, the aircraft requires full recertification. An exception was reportedly granted for this delivery flight, allowing it to land without a final airworthiness certificate.
Leipzig/Halle Airport has long served as a strategic hub for Antonov. The Ukrainian cargo airline operates its external command center from the site. In addition to UR-82073, five other Antonov An-124 aircraft are stationed in Leipzig, each named after Ukrainian cities that have come to symbolize resistance in the face of Russian aggression—names like “Brave Like Bucha” and “Brave Like Kharkiv.” From Leipzig, a total of six Antonov aircraft carry out civilian and military freight missions for Ukraine, NATO, and international clients. These operations are economically vital, generating urgently needed revenue for the state-owned company.
The story in Leipzig could have turned out very differently. Just a few years ago, Russia and Ukraine had joint plans to establish a large-scale Antonov maintenance and production facility at the airport, supported by the government of Saxony. Internal documents show that the project envisioned upgrades for 31 large freighters using Western technology, followed by the creation of a final assembly line for producing 60 new Antonov An-124 aircraft directly in Leipzig. But after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, those plans began to unravel, and the 2022 invasion rendered them obsolete.
Today, only a single hangar remains from those ambitions. Ukrainian engineers now maintain the remaining fleet there and also service aircraft operated by international clients. Just a short distance across the airfield, three Russian Antonov aircraft belonging to the former sister company Volga-Dnepr have stood idle for years, now chained and immobilized—silent witnesses to a past that no longer exists, either politically or economically.
With the arrival of UR-82073—“Brave Like Irpin”—Ukraine has opened a new chapter. It is not only a technical triumph but also a powerful symbol of independence, innovation, and national determination in a time of war.
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