The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a Russian-made heavy transport aircraft manufactured by the Antonov Company. It was originally developed between 1971 and 1982 by the Soviet Union’s Antonov Design Bureau. After the fall of the Soviet Union, production slowed and ended in 2004; production of the airplanes had taken place in Ukraine, so it became difficult for Russia to continue production. While there have been efforts to resume production, attempts by Russia to conquer Ukraine have created political tension that prevents production of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan for now.