Putin Announces Creation of Unmanned Combat Systems Unit to Counter Ukraine Drone Attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a defense system personnel reshuffle on the 5th (Wednesday), revealing the creation of a new military branch called the 'Unmanned Combat Systems Unit' to counter Ukrainian drone offensives.

On August 3, a beach along Russia's Black Sea coast was attacked by drones, resulting in nearly 50 casualties. On August 4, the Moscow region suffered another drone attack, leaving 15 people injured.

According to Russian media reports on the 5th, a car explosion occurred on the 4th in a village near Yekaterinburg, the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast in central Russia. The CEO of the Ural Drone Factory, Vladimir Tkachuk, sustained serious injuries and was transferred to intensive care. His driver and bodyguard was killed in the blast.

Footage from the scene shows the Mercedes vehicle occupied by Tkachuk completely burned out after the explosion. Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the incident.