Vladimir Tkachuk, founder of Uraldronzavod, is critically injured after a car bomb explosion near Ekaterinburg.
Vladimir Tkachuk, the founder of the private drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, was hospitalized in critical condition following a car bomb explosion in Bolshoy Istok, near Ekaterinburg. The explosion, which occurred late Tuesday, occurred beneath Vladimir Tkachuk's Mercedes, leaving his bodyguard killed and the vehicle's chassis charred. Uraldronzavod is notable for producing the Upyr (Ghoul) drones, which are widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine due to their low cost and resistance to jamming. Russian authorities have attributed a series of recent bombings to Ukraine, which has been utilizing clandestine operations to target senior military officials and pro-war figures. This latest attack follows a deadly bombing at an upscale Moscow restaurant that killed five people. While the administration has not officially confirmed the specific culprit of the car bomb, the explosion highlights Ukraine's ability to conduct effective operations deep within Russian territory. The attack underscores the pressure on Russia's internal security apparatus to protect key figures linked to the country's ongoing war effort.