Explosion rocks Ostafyevo: Russian An‑72 military aircraft destroyed
An explosion involving an An-72 aircraft occurred at Ostafyevo Airport near Moscow on December 12. The information was recently shared by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) through a short video depicting the incident.
On December 12, 2024, a military transport An-72 aircraft exploded at Ostafyevo Airport in the Moscow region. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR), the main engine unit of the aircraft, which belongs to the Russian Navy, exploded. No additional details are available regarding the operation involving the An-72 explosion.
Financial losses
The GUR reports that the value of the destroyed aircraft is approximately 4.5 million dollars. The Ukrainian statement further emphasized that for every criminal act against the Ukrainian people, there will be an appropriate retaliation.
Russian transport aircraft
The Antonov An-72 is a transport aircraft rarely seen over Ukraine, largely due to its main purpose. Its design allows it to carry loads weighing up to 22,000 lbs and transport a maximum of 52 passengers, or up to 68 in a configuration with additional seats. As a result of these features, this aircraft is generally used for domestic military transports and delivering light military equipment to secure areas away from combat zones.
The An-72 aircraft is notable for its specific overwing engines, which generate a phenomenon known as the Coanda effect. Thanks to this phenomenon, the aircraft gains increased lift. The Coanda effect occurs when the stream of gas from the engines adheres to the nearest surface it encounters. This effect is employed in various aircraft designs, including airplanes like the Boeing YC-14, which was the first to utilize this phenomenon in modern aviation.
In terms of performance, the An-72 can reach speeds of up to 435 mph, with a range of over 2,672 miles. The aircraft is powered by two Progress D-36 engines, each with a maximum thrust of 14,377 lbf. The An-72 design, developed in the late 1970s, features a length of slightly over 92 feet and a wingspan of nearly 105 feet.
