Vladimir Tkachuk, production director of FPV drones widely used by the Russian military in Ukraine, hospitalized after bomb planted under his Mercedes. His bodyguard-driver was killed.
The general director of Uraldronzavod and key developer of the 'Upir' unmanned aerial vehicle, Vladimir Tkachuk, was seriously injured in an explosion in his car in the Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia. The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, and according to available information, an explosive device planted under his Mercedes was detonated.
The explosion took place in the settlement of Bolshoy Istok, in the Sysertsky District, near the city of Yekaterinburg. The force of the blast killed Tkachuk's bodyguard-driver on the spot, while Tkachuk himself was taken to the hospital with severe injuries and is in intensive care. Russian investigators have opened a criminal case for attempted murder in a manner dangerous to the public.
Vladimir Tkachuk is a prominent figure in the Russian military-industrial complex. As production director at Uraldronzavod, he is directly responsible for the production of the 'Upir' strike FPV drones. These drones represent one of the most widely used Russian FPV platforms in recent years and are actively employed in attacks on Ukrainian positions, including armored vehicles, fortifications, and personnel.
In addition to his industrial role, Tkachuk was also the author of the Telegram channel 'Trusted in War,' where he often reported on his activities and the development of unmanned systems. News of the attack on him quickly spread through Russian military circles on that platform.
The author of the Telegram channel Voenacher, who claims to have known Tkachuk for years, expressed shock and concern. "I have known Vlad personally for several years. A real man. Rarely has anyone done as much to help the army and the front as he has. We pray for a good man and a true warrior," he wrote on his channel, according to information relayed by Mash.
So far, there is no official information about who is behind the attack. The explosion deep inside Russia, targeting a high-profile defense industry official, represents a significant security incident. The 'Upir' drones that Tkachuk developed have become a symbol of Russia's tactic of using cheap but effective FPV aircraft on the battlefield in Ukraine, placing this event in the broader context of the war that has been ongoing since 2022.
