The director of a factory supplying drones to the Russian military suffered severe injuries when his car exploded, according to reports on Wednesday. This incident marks the second attack on Russian drone manufacturers within a week.
State news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported that Vladimir Tkachuk was hospitalized in critical condition after the explosion that occurred on Tuesday evening in Bolshoy Istok, near Yekaterinburg. This area is approximately 870 miles east of Moscow. The car’s driver was killed in the blast, as noted by Reuters. Images circulating on Russian social media showed the charred remains of Tkachuk’s Mercedes surrounded by debris.
Authorities have not provided immediate details regarding the explosion’s cause or any potential suspects. There has been no comment from officials thus far.
Tkachuk leads the Uraldronzavod factory, known for producing ‘Upyr’ drones. These drones, offering protection against jamming, are simple and cost-effective. Founded in 2023, Tkachuk’s company became notable after he presented these drones to President Vladimir Putin. The factory operates near Yekaterinburg, an industrial area in the Ural Mountains.
Just last week, a director from another Russian drone company was injured in a shooting, which prosecutors described as an ‘attempted murder.’ Ukraine has not commented on the recent car explosion.
The explosion was reported after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video purporting to show a Russian drone attacking a civilian in Kherson. Zelenskyy emphasized on social media the need for the world to witness the footage, accusing Russian soldiers of reveling in civilian abuse.
Moscow officials have blamed Kyiv for attacks on senior military officials following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Saturdays’ bombing of a high-end restaurant in Moscow, blamed on Ukraine by the Russian Embassy in Rome, further escalated tensions. The bombing, which claimed five lives and injured 19, was described by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin as a ‘brutal terrorist act.’ Media speculations suggested the attack targeted a Russian general celebrating his birthday at the venue. However, these claims lack independent verification.