Ukraine's relocated fleet: Poland hosts rare An‑70 aircraft
Satellite images reveal that Ukrainian military aircraft are stationed at Polish airports. These are transport aircraft evacuated from Ukraine due to concerns about their potential destruction. Among them is a unique aircraft — the only example in the world of the An-70 short take-off and landing transport aircraft.
During the Russian attack on Ukraine, some Ukrainian military aircraft, primarily transport aircraft, were evacuated to Poland. The world's largest transporter, the An-225 Mriya, could not be evacuated and was consequently destroyed at Hostomel airport at the start of the war.
Publicly available satellite images (Google Earth) indicate that surviving transport aircraft belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine were evacuated to Poland. Some of these aircraft are stationed at the military airport in Dęblin. The images show seven heavy Ilyushin Il-76MD transport aircraft and one unique An-70.
These aircraft are in continuous service and perform flights to various European countries, among others. As Adam Świerkowski from Defence 24 explains, Polish airports have become a key base for Ukrainian heavy transport aviation, including military, allowing it to efficiently perform numerous tasks for both civilian clients and its own army.
According to the expert, the aircraft delivers essential operational parts to Ukraine and also transport military vehicles, which, after being withdrawn from combat, are repaired overseas, among other places.
An-70 – STOL transport aircraft
Among the Ukrainian transport aircraft stationed in Poland, the An-70 stands out. In only one example, this unique machine exists, like the destroyed An-225 Mriya. Ukraine built it in cooperation with Russia. One of the two prototypes was destroyed, and despite orders, serial production was never launched.
The An-70 is a medium transport aircraft with STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capability. The aircraft, 135 feet long, has a wingspan of 144 feet and is powered by four Progress D-27 engines. With an empty weight of 65 tonnes, the aircraft can carry up to 46 tonnes of cargo, 260 wounded on stretchers or 300 paratroopers.
For take-off — instead of multi-kilometre runways — it requires only 650 to 870 yards of unpaved runway. In comparison, the Airbus A400M, similar in size with an empty weight of 69 tonnes, carries 36 tonnes of cargo and requires a runway twice as long for take-off.
