CEO of Russian drone maker critically wounded in suspected car bombing

Vladimir Tkachuk, the CEO of Ural Drone Factory and developer of Russia's Upyr FPV attack drone, has been critically wounded in what is believed to be a car bombing near Yekaterinburg. The incident occurred in Bolshoy Istok, where an explosive device detonated beneath his Mercedes vehicle, causing extensive damage.

Tkachuk's driver was killed in the blast, according to a source cited by the publication "Kommersant-Ural." Police have launched a criminal investigation into the assassination attempt, classifying it as a dangerous act affecting the public, TASS reported. A source within the media indicated that Tkachuk is currently in intensive care.

Uraldronzavod, founded in 2022, manufactures the "Upirj" FPV drones, which are utilized by the Russian armed forces in their conflict against Ukraine. In September 2024, Tkachuk presented the "Upirj" drone to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The article also briefly notes the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, and the broader conflict initiated by Russia in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and subsequent actions in Donbas.