Antonov An-124 flies over Kyiv for the first time since 2022, lands in Leipzig

An Antonov An-124-100 cargo aircraft operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines flew over Kyiv on July 11, 2025, before landing at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) in Germany, in what appears to be an extraction flight through Ukraine’s restricted airspace.

The aircraft, registered UR‑82073 and operating under flight number ADB9154, was observed over the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine’s airspace has remained closed to civilian aviation since February 24, 2022, due to the ongoing war, with only military, government, and special humanitarian flights allowed under strict control.

A Ukrainian Antonov Airlines An-124-100 cargo aircraft was seen flying over Kyiv today. pic.twitter.com/Ngd8KeFljj— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) July 11, 2025

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Safely stored during the war

Unlike other Antonov aircraft damaged during the Battle of Hostomel, UR‑82073 was undergoing maintenance at the time of the invasion and was stored at Kyiv’s Sviatoshyn Airfield, home to the Antonov Serial Production Plant. This location shielded it from the destruction that struck Hostomel Airport, where the An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest aircraft, was destroyed.

Another An-124, UR‑82009, was not as fortunate and sustained severe damage during the fighting at Hostomel.

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Back with the Antonov fleet in Germany

Following the attack on Hostomel, Antonov Airlines moved its operational hub to Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany, where it now bases its fleet of five active An‑124‑100 aircraft. These aircraft continue to support global logistics and strategic airlift missions.

The purpose of the flight from Kyiv remains unconfirmed, and Antonov Airlines has not issued a public statement on the operation. UR‑82073’s landing in Leipzig suggests it may have been relocated to rejoin Antonov’s active fleet abroad.

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This is not the first time large cargo aircraft have quietly exited Ukraine under special arrangements. In December 2022, two Turkish Air Force A400M aircraft that had been stranded at Kyiv-Boryspil International Airport since the start of the war were finally allowed to leave. Originally sent on a humanitarian mission, the aircraft remained grounded for 10 months before successfully returning to Turkey following diplomatic negotiations.The post Antonov An-124 flies over Kyiv for the first time since 2022, lands in Leipzig appeared first on AeroTime.

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