Vladimir Tkachuk is critically injured after a car bomb explosion near Ekaterinburg targets the Uraldronzavod drone manufacturer.
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 occurred late Tuesday, damaging Tkachuk's Mercedes and killing his bodyguard. Uraldronzavod is known for producing the Upyr drone, a low-cost first-person view kamikaze drone widely used by Russian forces in the Ukraine war. Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for a series of recent bombings targeting senior military officials and pro-war figures. This attack follows a deadly bombing at an upscale Moscow restaurant that killed five people. While the Russian Foreign Ministry has not officially confirmed the culprits, the explosion demonstrates Ukraine's ability to conduct clandestine operations deep within Russian territory. The attack highlights the growing pressure on Russia's internal security and its ability to protect high-profile figures linked to the war effort.