Head of Russian Drone Factory Assassinated! Mercedes Explodes, Seriously Injured in Suspected Ukrainian Targeted Attack

Russian state media reported today that the head of a Russian drone factory was seriously injured in a 'vehicle explosion.' This appears to be the second attempted assassination of a Russian defense official within days. According to AFP, 35-year-old Vladimir Tkachuk is the head of Uraldronzavod, a drone manufacturer based in Yekaterinburg. Russia's 'Kommersant' newspaper reported that his Mercedes-Benz vehicle exploded in the village of Bolshoy Istok, on the outskirts of Yekaterinburg. Details and the exact time of the incident remain unknown. TASS cited sources from emergency services stating, 'Vladimir Tkachuk was injured in a vehicle explosion and is currently in intensive care in critical condition. Doctors are doing everything possible to save his life.' Photos uploaded to Russian social media reportedly show the scorched chassis of Tkachuk's burned-out car, surrounded by charred debris. Uraldronzavod is best known for producing the Upyr series of first-person view (FPV) drones used by the Russian military on the battlefield in Ukraine. Tkachuk, who founded the company in 2023, was previously photographed demonstrating his drones to President Vladimir Putin. Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has targeted multiple Russian defense and military-related figures. The head and founder of another Russian drone manufacturer was injured last week in a shooting, which prosecutors labeled a 'murder attempt.' Ukraine has not commented on this latest attack.