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   Plans are being made to rebuild the world's largest plane first destroyed by   
   Russian forces in the early days of its invasion of Ukraine -- though its   
   manufacturer says such a goal remains far off.   
       
   Design work on a second Antonov An-225 cargo plane, also known as the Mriya --   
   "Dream" in Ukrainian -- has begun, according to a statement posted on Facebook   
   Monday by state-owned Antonov Co., which said exact details will only be   
   specified once Russia's war in Ukraine ends.   
       
   Hurdles for a rebuild of the giant aircraft, which was destroyed in February   
   while undergoing repairs at an airfield near Kyiv, remain significant. Antonov   
   estimates that a rebuild of the giant aircraft, which had an 88-metre   
   wingspan, will cost "at least" US$500 million, and acknowledged that could   
   grow further as it was "too early" to talk about specific costs.   
       
   It was not immediately clear how financing will be obtained for such an   
   effort, with Ukraine's economy under significant stress due to Russia's   
   assault, and the power supply curbs in place due to Russian air-attacks on   
   energy infrastructure. Antonov's parent company, state-run Ukroboronprom   
   initially said after the aircraft's destruction that restoring it would take   
   more than five years and cost over US$3 billion.   
       
   Antonov said about 30% of the components from the original plane can be used   
   in building a new version after assessment by experts. It said it was   
   responding to what it called "inaccurate" reports by German newspaper Bild and   
   Ukrainian media that work on the aircraft had already begun.   
       
   Bild had originally cited an interview with Antonov General Director Eugene   
   Gavrylov, who said that the company plans to sell merchandise like models of   
   the plane and pictures in Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport to raise cash and   
   attract sponsors.   
       
   The six-engine jet first flew in December 1988. It was used to transport   
   Covid-19 vaccines around the world during the pandemic, before its destruction   
   made it a symbol of Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion. Political   
   figures such as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba have used it as a rallying cry,   
   while it has also appeared on items like national stamps.   
      
   --- DB4 - 20220519   
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