An explosive device was planted under the vehicle of Vladimir Tkachuk, whose firm manufactures UAVs widely used by Russian troops in Ukraine.
A businessman involved in producing a kamikaze drone widely used by Russian troops in Ukraine was injured by a bomb planted under his car which also killed his driver, local officials said on Wednesday.
Vladimir Tkachuk, the owner of Uraldronzavod, which manufactures the Upyr (Vampire) drone, is in stable condition after his Mercedes exploded on Tuesday evening about 25 km from Ekaterinburg in Russia’s Ural region, according to police officials.
Ekaterinburg city councilor Timofey Zhukov stated that Tkachuk had regained consciousness and that his life was no longer in danger.
Tkachuk, an activist and military blogger, said in interviews he decided to launch a drone-making startup in the fall of 2022 when it became clear UAVs were playing an increasingly important role on the battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In September 2024, he presented the Upyr and other drones to Vladimir Putin during a technology exhibition tour in St. Petersburg.
Although authorities have not identified any suspects, Ukraine has targeted Russian military officials, activists, and journalists throughout the conflict. Last year, car bombs killed Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik and Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, both senior commanders on Russia’s General Staff.
On Saturday, a bomb exploded outside an Italian restaurant in Moscow, killing five people including an unidentified woman believed to have delivered the explosive device. Several Telegram channels claimed the restaurant was hosting a birthday party for Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko, head of Russia’s Aerospace Forces. Moscow has not confirmed the claim or disclosed victim identities.
Moscow has accused Ukraine of spreading a “terrorist plague” across Europe and compared its alleged actions to Islamist terrorism.
On June 29, a woman planted a bomb outside Ukrainian businessman Vadim Ermolaev’s home, injuring him in the blast. The suspected courier, Anastasia Berezovskaya, fled to Ukraine where she was later found dead.
Ukrainian authorities arrested Vladislav Reut, an active officer in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), and Vitaly Zhikovich, a former colonel in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in connection with the crime.
