Yekaterinburg Drone Maker CEO Wounded in Car Explosion
State media reported that Vladimir Tkachuk, founder and CEO of Uraldronzavod, is in critical condition and that doctors are “fighting for his life.”
The head of a Russian drone manufacturer was seriously wounded in a car explosion, Russian media reported Wednesday, in what appears to be the second attempted assassination of a defense executive in Russia over the past week. Vladimir Tkachuk is the founder and CEO of the Yekaterinburg-based firm Uraldronzavod. The company is under U.S. and EU sanctions for producing the Upyr drone, which is widely used in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Tkachuk also runs a popular pro-war Telegram channel, Povornutye Na Voyne, which confirmed that an “assassination attempt” had taken place following news reports of the car explosion. “He’s currently in intensive care and in stable condition,” the channel added. However, sources told the state-run news agency TASS that Tkachuk was in critical condition and that doctors were “fighting for his life.” Eyewitnesses told local media they heard a loud explosion and saw flames engulf Tkachuk’s Mercedes in Bolshoy Istok, a village just outside Yekaterinburg. Anonymous sources told the newspaper Kommersant that the vehicle’s driver was killed in the blast. The explosion appears to have occurred on Tuesday, though media reports only emerged on Wednesday afternoon. Law enforcement authorities launched a murder investigation but have otherwise not publicly commented on the incident. Tkachuk, who founded Uraldronzavod in 2023, has previously been pictured showcasing his drones to President Vladimir Putin. The car explosion follows an incident last week in which the founder and CEO of a different Russian drone manufacturer was wounded in a shooting that prosecutors have described as “attempted murder.” A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help . Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $ 2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later .