17-07-2025
How did Ukraine manage to modernize and evacuate its An-124 100 Ruslan Condor amidst war with Russia? Details inside
Ukraine not only managed to hide and protect its Antonov
An-124
100 Ruslan (NATO reporting name Condor) from Russian forces for over three years but also carried out the aircraft's modernization before safely flying it out of the country to Germany. The huge plane took off on July 11 from the Svyatoshino airport in
Kiev
and reached Leipzig in Germany a few hours later, escaping the Russian air defence and fighter jets patrolling the skies of Ukraine.
Five days after the An-124 100 Ruslan landed safely in Leipzig, far away from the reach of Russian military, its owners
ANTONOV Airlines
on July 16 released details of why the plane was moved out of Ukraine. The company also revealed what happened while it was parked at an airport in Ukraine.
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ANTONOV shared a 2.52 minute long video showcasing the Ruslan's take off from Svyatoshino and its arrival at Leipzig where the crew and pilots recevied a warm welcome. The aircraft was greeted by water cannons after it landed in Leipzig.
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Undo
The video post was accompanied by a statement detailing that the war with Russia did not stop the aircraft's modernization, which had started before President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion. Though there were some stoppages as Russian forces closed in on Kiev, but the work was restarted and completed after the threat receded.
Also Read:
Russia caught napping as Antonov An-124 Ruslan takes off from Ukraine, flies over Kiev and vanishes in Germany
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What ANTONOV said on An-124 Ruslan's espace from under Russia's nose?
The ANTONOV Airlines post reads: "Modernized AN-124-100 Ruslan aircraft successfully relocated from Ukraine to Germany."
"ANTONOV has completed a complex multi-year project to deeply modernize one of its legendary transport aircraft An-124-100. On July 11, 2025, Ruslan was safely moved to Germany. This aircraft, manufactured in 1994, has over 21,000 flight hours and over 5,500 flights. Work on its deeply modernized aircraft began in 2021. The goal of the modernization, carried out by the JSC ANTONOV team, is to replace the main components that were manufactured in russia with modern components of Western and Ukrainian production."
"Due to the full-scale aggression of Russia in 2022, the work was partially suspended: at that time the aircraft was in a disassembled state. However, even in the most difficult conditions of the war, the team of JSC "ANTONOV" was able to resume work and complete the modernization in June 2025. The relocation of "Ruslan" became not just a technical solution, but a symbol of the stability, professionalism and unity of Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers. The improved "Ruslan" will continue to fly and serve Ukraine on the international route. Currently, the aircraft fleet of JSC "ANTONOV" is in safe conditions, in accordance with internal safety protocols," the statement added.
The An-124 100 Ruslan with tail number UR-82073 had the words "Be brave like Irpin" painted on its fuselage. The reference was to the brutal battle between Ukrainian forces and Russian units along Irpin River in the early days which finally resulted in the latter failing in their push to take over Kiev.
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As soon as the Ruslan was spotted over Kiev on July 11, it created a huge buzz as the Russian invasion had ensured that only military airplanes apart from a few government and recuse flights were operating in the region. Russian forces had already destroyed the Hostemel Airport near Kiev in the initial days of the war as well as the An-225 Mriya, the world's biggest aircraft at that time.
But the aircraft which fled to Germany survived the attacks as it was moved to Antonov's repair facility in Kiev.
An-124 aircraft have been used by Ukraine, the United States of America and several western nations for military cargo. They have also helped in carrying western weapon systems from NATO countries to Ukraine to fight off the Russian invasion.
Manufactured in Ukraine, the An-124s have been a source of pride although they have used many Russian systems. But as explained by ANTONOV, the Ruslan has been modernized using western and Ukrainian components.
