Ukrainian An-124 Aircraft Transports Rocket Component From New Zealand to US East Coast

A Ukrainian Antonov An-124 aircraft completed a globe-spanning flight that carried a major component for a new rocket from New Zealand to the East Coast of the United States, according to @Osinttechnical. The aircraft, which bears the name “Be Brave Like Bucha,” finished the trip on or around May 14, 2026.

The flight highlights the continued role of Ukraine’s heavy-lift aviation fleet in moving oversized cargo across continents for commercial and government customers worldwide.

Ukraine has maintained its fleet of large transport aircraft despite ongoing conflict within the country. These planes regularly carry outsized cargo that few other operators can accommodate on a commercial basis. The specific An-124 used in this mission has been active in international charters.

Its latest assignment involved transporting hardware essential to rocket manufacturing from a production site in New Zealand to facilities on the U.S. East Coast. The company developing the rocket has relied on such specialized airlift to move large structures that cannot be shipped by sea or road in a timely manner.

This delivery supports assembly and testing schedules for the new launch vehicle.

An-124 fleet have positioned the aircraft as reliable options for time-sensitive projects in the space sector. The planes can carry payloads weighing up to 150 tons and have been used for aerospace, energy and defense shipments. The successful completion of this route demonstrates that the Ukrainian-operated heavy-lift capability remains available to commercial clients despite broader geopolitical tensions.

No disruptions to the flight were reported. Further deliveries of components using similar aircraft are expected as rocket production programs advance.