In what many are calling an incredible event for Ukrainians, a massive Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft was seen flying over Kyiv on Friday — the first sighting of such a plane in the city’s skies since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

With Ukrainian airspace largely closed to civilian aircraft since the war began, the appearance of the An-124 sparked joy, pride, and confusion. The aircraft — a symbol of Ukraine’s aviation legacy — stirred emotions online and on the ground.

The military outlet The War Zone (TWZ) launched an investigation into the flight, attempting to piece together where the aircraft came from, why it was flying, and where it was headed.

“I never thought that an ordinary plane in the Ukrainian sky could cause so many emotions,” the Trukha news outlet wrote on Telegram. “And seriously – it’s a cargo An-124, not a passenger one.”

An-124-100 cargo plane over Kyiv today. pic.twitter.com/SC2h3MqB7a

— Saint Javelin (@saintjavelin) July 11, 2025

Where did the An-124 take off from?

According to TWZ analysis and Planet Labs satellite imagery, the Antonov An-124, registered as UR-82073, likely departed from Svyatoshyn airfield in Kyiv. This is home to the Antonov Serial Production Plant, which has remained relatively intact despite the destruction of nearby Hostomel Airport early in the war.

Satellite imagery from 2 July shows two An-124s at the site, with one appearing to move onto the runway by 5 July — strongly indicating preparations for flight.

“It appears that an Antonov AN-124, UR-82073, has escaped from Ukraine to Liepzig, Germany after being stranded for over 4 years,” wrote X user @TheIntelFrog, referencing flight tracking history that showed the aircraft’s last activity in March 2021.

The General Staff Chat Telegram channel supported this claim, writing:
“An-124-100 reg UR-82073 is being evacuated from Svyatoshyn, where it has been standing since the beginning of the full scale war.”

I heard, but did not see, this aircraft flying overhead earlier today. It understandably cause quite a stir; we haven't seen such large aircraft over the city since late February 2022. https://t.co/jbbLKQtI9h

— Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) July 11, 2025

Alternative claims: Did it fly from Dnipro?

Some sources, including Russian outlet Astra and pro-Russian Telegram channels, claimed the aircraft originated from Dnipro, not Kyiv. These claims were based on flight tracking anomalies showing a “drone” signal — PTNPNH2 — which some speculated was actually the An-124 using a false transponder code. The callsign PTNPNH2 closely resembles “птн пнх”, a well-known Ukrainian anti-Putin slogan.

“The aircraft, which took off from Dnipro, is marked by the [flight tracking] service as a ‘drone,’” Astra posted on Telegram.

Russian military-linked channel Military Informant claimed:
“The Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan… took off from the Dnipro airport… This is happening against the backdrop of the beginning of fighting in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.”

However, TWZ’s review of satellite imagery and known aircraft locations strongly suggests Svyatoshyn as the far more likely origin.

Flight path and stealth departure

FlightRadar24 data shows the An-124 appearing over western Ukraine near the Polish border at 2:17 PM local time, with no visible departure point. This suggests the plane’s transponder was disabled during takeoff, a likely precaution to avoid detection or interference.

The plane eventually landed in Leipzig, Germany, where Antonov Airlines has continued limited operations since the loss of its main base at Hostomel.

Russian reaction: Intelligence failure?

The flight drew critical commentary from Russian military circles. The influential Fighterbomber Telegram channel, known for its ties to Russian air forces, described the aircraft’s unimpeded escape as a major intelligence failure.

“A sad event, of course. For our intelligence first and foremost… It was able to leave intact and unharmed,” the channel posted. “There are literally only a couple of airfields in Ukraine capable of receiving and dispatching an aircraft of this size.”

TWZ noted that while Russia may have the capability to strike such targets, its intelligence-gathering and response mechanisms — its “kill chain” — have often been too slow or disorganized to act on such fleeting opportunities.

What this means for Ukraine

The successful flight of UR-82073 represents more than just a logistical win. For Antonov Airlines, it could be a return to strategic cargo operations, which are both economically and militarily significant. The airline has a long history of supporting NATO and US military logistics, and reactivating an An-124 would be a substantial boost.

“Regenerating an An-124 for cargo charter operations would be a major win for Antonov Airlines and Ukraine,” TWZ emphasized.

A similar case occurred in December 2022, when two Turkish A400M aircraft, grounded in Ukraine since the invasion began, were finally allowed to fly home after diplomatic negotiations, as reported by Aerotime.

A powerful symbol in the sky

While the full details of the flight remain unclear, one thing is certain: the appearance of an Ukrainian-built aircraft flying freely over Kyiv — not a drone, not a missile — struck a deep chord.

“It’s a cargo An-124, not a passenger one,” Trukha reminded followers. But in the context of war, even a cargo plane can be a powerful symbol of resilience and defiance.