a large white and yellow object with holes in it

Photo Report: Inside the Antonov Airport - Hostomel

Photo Report: Inside the Antonov Airport – Hostomel

Sam Chui·August 3, 2022

This trip report is contributed and written by FlyRosta

The airport known as Antonov Airport 2 – Hostomel (GML) was one of the primary targets of the Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022. The Armed Forces of Ukraine fought a battle for the airport, but unfortunately, almost all of the infrastructure was destroyed.

On July 20, 2022, we were given the opportunity to visit the airport where the damaged aircraft, including the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 (UR-82060) are.

The An-225 is without its nose section and is still standing under a heavily damaged canopy.

The last flight of the An-225 was from Billund, Denmark to Hostomel, Ukraine on 5 February 2021.

The Antonov An-225 was mostly under the roof opposite the hangar when it was GML’s home airport

The An-225 is without its nose section and is still standing under a heavily damaged canopy.

a group of people standing around an airplane

a large metal structure with a broken airplane

a large white and yellow object with a blue and white stripe

a man standing in a hangar with a broken airplane wing

a large black object on the ground — The wreckage of the front part of the An-225, in the background the main hangar.

a group of men standing next to a large white object — Flaps removed from the aircraft

a woman in a reflective vest — There were also several small Cessna aircraft under the roof

Main Hangar

In the hangar opposite is an Antonov An-124 (UR-82009). The whole aircraft is badly damaged. There are bullet marks in the fuselage and the rear section shows signs of fire. It was not possible to see inside during the visit.

a building with broken windows — The hangar doors are badly damaged

Inside the main hangar is An-124 (UR-82009)

a large engine on a trailer — The engine that was removed from the An-225

There was still an An-28 (UR-NTE) in the hangar. There is also a damaged Antonov An-22 and an unspecified Boeing 737 and some other smaller aircraft at the airport.

a flag on a wall — Partners of Antonov. The poster also features the flags of Russia and Belarus.

a building with a stop sign — There were signs of heavy fighting in the hangar building.

a building with a hole in the wall — The building withstood heavy fire.

Office and Old Hangar

The Antonov Airlines offices and the old hangar are also heavy damaged. There is a large amount of destroyed Russian military equipment on the site, including several tanks and armoured vehicles. Next to the airport there is also a military base or civilian accommodation which has also been almost destroyed.