Russian media, citing emergency response sources, reported that Vladimir Tkachuk, founder of the private unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing company Uraldronzavod, was admitted to intensive care on 5/8 after a bomb planted under his Mercedes exploded. His driver and bodyguard died at the scene.

TASS news agency stated that Tkachuk is currently in critical condition, and doctors are fighting for his life.

The moment Vladimir Tkachuk's car exploded on 4/8. *Video: X/War & Military News*

According to a Russian military blogger, the attack occurred on 4/8. Images shared on social media showed the Mercedes completely burned out, with bloodstains visible on the nearby sidewalk.

Uraldronzavod is one of several private UAV manufacturing companies established in Russia after Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in 2/2022. The company produces the FPV "Vampire" UAV, a drone controlled using virtual reality goggles connected to live camera feeds from the device. This UAV model is widely used by Russia on the Ukrainian battlefield.

In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the factory and was given a tour by Tkachuk.

Uraldronzavod and Tkachuk have been sanctioned by Western countries for supporting Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.

The car was burned out after the explosion. *Photo: X/War & Military News*

Tkachuk also founded a pro-war social media channel called "Obsessed with War," which has over 500,000 followers and is used to raise funds and procure military equipment for Russian soldiers on the front lines.

This marks the second attack targeting Russian UAV developers within a week. On 30/7, Andrei Cherezov, who developed the "Gadfly" UAV model, was shot and wounded by an unidentified assailant. UAVs have become a key weapon on the Ukrainian battlefield.

The bombing targeting Tkachuk occurred just days after an explosion outside a high-end restaurant in central Moscow killed 5 people. Russian officials have not disclosed the true target of that attack, but pro-Kremlin bloggers and some independent Russian media outlets suggested the intended target was Colonel General Aleksandr Chayko, commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who was reportedly celebrating his birthday at the restaurant.

According to the independent news agency Agentstvo, one of the fatalities was Daniil Peredrya, Chayko's son-in-law.

Vladimir Tkachuk (left) presents a UAV model to Russian President Vladimir Putin (far right) at the Special Technology Center in St. Petersburg in 9/2024. *Photo: AFP*

Since the conflict began, Ukrainian intelligence agencies have targeted dozens of senior military officers and Moscow-appointed officials in Russian-controlled territories, accusing them of involvement in war crimes.

Ukrainian intelligence agencies employ various methods to conduct operations within Russian territory, including planting explosive devices under vehicles and detonating them remotely.

*Huyen Le (According to Reuters, TASS, Guardian)*