Antonov reveals An-124 relocated to Germany after main Russian parts removed 

Antonov has confirmed that the An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft observed flying out of Ukraine on July 11, 2025, was not only extracted from the country but had also undergone a deep modernization program, a detail revealed in a company statement issued on July 16, 2025. 

The aircraft, registered UR-82073 and renamed “Be brave like Irpin”, departed Kyiv’s Sviatoshyn Airfield before landing at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), rejoining Antonov Airlines’ operational hub in Germany. The flight drew attention as Ukraine’s airspace remains closed to civilian traffic since February 2022, with only special missions authorized under strict control. 

Upgrade project began in 2021, paused by war, and completed in June 2025 

According to Antonov, the modernization project began in 2021 and aimed to replace Russian-made components with parts sourced from Ukraine and Western manufacturers. Work was interrupted when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, leaving the aircraft in a disassembled state. Despite the disruption, Antonov engineers completed the upgrade in June 2025, describing the achievement as “a symbol of stability, professionalism, and unity of Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers.” 

The aircraft, built in 1994, has accumulated more than 21,000 flight hours and 5,500 flights. It will now resume service on international routes as part of Antonov’s fleet of five An-124-100s based in Germany since 2022. 

Unlike the An-225 Mriya destroyed at Hostomel, UR-82073 had been stored at Kyiv’s Sviatoshyn Airfield since 2022, shielding it from the frontline battle. Its return to operational status comes as Antonov Airlines bases its active fleet of An-124s in Leipzig, supporting global heavy-lift logistics. The post Antonov reveals An-124 relocated to Germany after main Russian parts removed  appeared first on AeroTime.

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