Overview

• On July 11, Antonow Airlines flew its fully upgraded An-124 from Kyiv to Leipzig under wartime restrictions, operating without a transponder signal over closed Ukrainian airspace.
• The transport jet touched down at Leipzig/Halle at 14:38 local time and was welcomed with a water salute, bringing Antonow’s fleet there to six aircraft.
• Russian bloggers seized on the flight to criticize the Armed Forces for failing to detect or intercept the plane, questioning the robustness of their airspace defenses.
• Analysts warn that basing the An-124 in Leipzig will enhance Ukraine’s strategic airlift and could accelerate Western weapons deliveries through the Rzeszów transshipment hub.
• The multi-year overhaul concluded in June with all Russian-made parts replaced by Western systems, marking the first Antonow An-124 refitted to NATO standards.