The SSU is investigating the involvement of the Antonov State Enterprise management in the destruction of the AN-225 “Mriya”

The SSU is determining the circumstances of the AN-225 “Mriya” aircraft’s destruction, including the actions of the Antonov State Enterprise management.

The SSU press service reported about this.

The investigation established that the officials, “despite the warnings of state authorities”, did not take appropriate steps to preserve the aircraft.

In addition, it is reported that certain company employees were for a long time obstructing the Defence Forces in organizing air and ground defense of the airport.

All this led to the destruction of the AN-225 and several other aircraft.

Currently, investigators are looking into additional details of this case. Necessary examinations are being conducted, after which further procedural decisions will be made.

The SSU also noted that they uncovered other crimes. The former Director General of the Antonov State Enterprise was exposed for organizing illegal transportation of Ukrainian men of conscription age across the border.

“According to the investigation, in March this year, the official submitted a list of employees who would travel abroad for aircraft maintenance to the State Border Guard Service. The list for the trip also included some outside parties. Those people included his close relative. In this way, the evaders were able to cross the border under the guise of aircraft construction specialists,” the SSU reported.

Based on this fact, the former Director has already been notified of suspicion of offense under Article 332.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unlawful transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine).

“The investigation to identify all the circumstances of the suspect’s criminal actions and other persons guilty of destruction of the AN-225 “Mriya” is ongoing,” the report says.

The pre-trial investigation is underway.

As previously reported, as a result of hostilities on the territory of the airport “Kyiv-Antonov-2” in Hostomel, three airplanes of “Antonov Airlines”, including An-26, An-74, and An-225, were destroyed, and another five were damaged. These include An-12, An-22, An-28, An-132D, and An-124-100-150 aircrafts.

The enterprise’s hangars and infrastructure were also damaged.

On March 29, 2022, “Ukroboronprom” announced the suspension of Serhii Bychkov, Director General of the Antonov State Enterprise, from his duties. The reason for this was an official investigation and “verification of certain facts published in the media”.”Ukroboronprom” also emphasized that they are assisting the SSU in every possible way to discover the circumstances of possible violations.