AN-225 Mira World's Largest Cargo Plane

[Elwyn Aud]

Certainly not important compared to the human tragedy in the war but the sole AN-225 has been reportedly destroyed  in the conflict.   

At an airshow in OKC in the 90's

[Mike Alimov]

The name of the plane is actually Mrya (or Mriya), which means "Dream" in Ukrainian. It was originally designed to transport the Soviet knock-off of the Space Shuttle (Buran), but has since been used for some unique cargo transport missions around the world. The plane was a pride and joy of the Antonov design bureau, and by extension of the entire Ukraine.  I bet whoever ordered its destruction was trying to trying to equivocate that with the destruction of the Ukrainian dream of prosperity and independence; how naive.

And yes you are right, this incident pales in comparison with the human tragedy on the ground. I'm in touch with my cousin daily, who is trapped in one of the hottest spots on the outskirts of Kyiv, hears the sounds of firefight daily and unable to buy milk for herself and her elderly mother.