Ukraine State Aviation Museum, Kiev (must see)

The Ukraine State Aviation Museum, also known as Oleg K. Antonov State Aviation Museum, is one of the most captivating and extensive aviation museums in Eastern Europe—a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the Ukrainian capital.

Named in honor of Oleg Konstantinovich Antonov, the legendary aircraft designer responsible for engineering some of the world’s largest and most iconic transport planes, the museum pays tribute to Ukraine’s profound contributions to global aviation history. Officially established in 2001 and opened to the public in 2003, it quickly became one of Kyiv’s most popular destinations, drawing both dedicated aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers eager to experience something truly unique.

Spread across a wide open-air tarmac surrounded by the hum of nearby air traffic, the museum features an extraordinary collection of over 100 aircraft and aviation models. Its origins lie in the former training base of the Kyiv Institute of Civil Aviation—now the National Aviation University, which continues to sponsor and manage the site.

Visitors can stroll among towering fighter jets like the MiG-29 and Su-27, marvel at the sleek forms of Soviet bombers such as the Tu-160, or stand beneath the massive wings of Antonov’s iconic An-12 and An-26 transport planes. The sheer scale of these aircraft is breathtaking, and many are open for exploration—allowing visitors to step inside cockpits and cabins for an immersive, hands-on encounter rarely offered in traditional museums.

Beyond its military displays, the museum highlights the civilian side of aviation, featuring aircraft once operated by Aeroflot and other Soviet airlines. These planes tell the story of how air travel evolved during the 20th century—from propeller-driven passenger aircraft to the jetliners that connected the vast territories of the Soviet Union.