Source : Perth Now news
Vladimir Tkachuk, the head of Russian drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, has survived an apparent assassination attempt, authorities say.
Tkachuk’s Telegram channel said the drone boss was seriously injured in a car explosion on Tuesday but is in stable condition, while his driver was killed.
Russian state media, citing the authorities, reported that an investigation into the attack was under way.
The explosion occurred in the town of Bolshoy Istok, near Yekaterinburg, according to media reports.
Mash, a news outlet with sources in the police and security services, said Tkachuk’s Mercedes was destroyed by an explosive device hidden underneath it.
The driver, also described in some reports as a bodyguard, was killed on the spot, it said.
Founded in Yekaterinburg in 2023, Uraldronzavod specializes in the mass production of kamikaze drones.
Its Upyr (Vampire) first-person drones – which are controlled by an operator wearing goggles fed by a live video feed – have been widely deployed by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
They are regarded as relatively inexpensive while still being highly effective.
Tkachuk had demonstrated the Vampire to top officials including President Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, according to Yekaterinburg news outlet e1.ru.
A statement on Tkachuk’s Telegram channel accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack and vowed retaliation.
It also said the incident would have no effect on drone production.
Tkachuk’s company is subject to US and European sanctions.
His personal details also appear on a Ukrainian website that lists individuals seen as enemies of Ukraine, where an entry states that his car exploded but that he survived.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for a string of previous assassinations of senior military officials and people linked to the Russian war effort.
Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some attacks while denying blame for others.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the latest incident.
At least five people were killed in a bomb explosion at a restaurant in Moscow over the weekend.
It was the second attack in a week on Russian drone makers.
On July 30, Andrei Cherezov, developer of a model called “Gadfly,” was shot and wounded by an unknown assailant.
with DPA
