Civil Aviation

Antonov Officials Confront 15-Year Prison Sentence for An-225 Mriya Demise

Antonov Officials Grapple with 15-Year Prison Threat for An-225 Mriya Demise

On February 27th, the Ukraine Security Service (SBU) announced that Serhii Bychkov, the former director of Antonov State Enterprise, and Oleksandr Netosov, the head of the Aviation Security Department, are facing severe charges potentially resulting in 15 years of imprisonment.

The allegations of hindering the nation’s defense, namely with regard to the defense of Hostomel Airport, are the basis for the charges. According to the SBU, Bychkov and Netosov will go on trial for their part in undermining Armed Forces operations, particularly with regard to the downing of the largest freight aircraft in the world, the AN-225 Mriya.

The investigation revealed alarming incompetence on the part of Antonov leadership, including directives to prevent Ukrainian military from entering the area in January and February 2022 during crucial times.

Despite warnings from state authorities and awareness of expiring insurance coverage, Antonov officials failed to evacuate the Mriya aircraft, which was ultimately destroyed during the fight for Hostomel airport near Kyiv. This negligence has led to significant repercussions, not only in terms of loss of the aircraft but also in the broader context of Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

As a result, Bychkov and Netosov find themselves in custody and facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. However, amidst the fallout from this incident, there remains a resolute determination to rebuild.

Ukrainian defense contractor UkrbOboronProm has stated its commitment to the revival of the Mriya, estimating the restoration costs to exceed $3 billion over five years. Furthermore, there is a call for accountability, with efforts underway to ensure that the financial burden of this destruction falls upon the Russian Federation, seen as the perpetrator of intentional harm to Ukraine’s aviation and air cargo sector.

There are consequences from this incident that go beyond the law. As per the report by The Kyiv Independent, the AN-225 Mriya’s destruction led to a staggering $227.8 million in damage.