Russian drone manufacturer's car reportedly targeted in explosion in Russia – photos

Viktoriia Shabranska - 5 August, 14:27

The blown-up car. Photo: Mash, an online media outlet

A car belonging to Vladimir Tkachuk, the manufacturer of Upyr drones who runs a Telegram channel called Crazy about War, has been targeted in an explosion in the village of Bolshoi Istok near Yekaterinburg, more than 1,700 km (1,050 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS; Russian online news outlet Mash; 66.RU, a local Yekaterinburg Telegram channel

Quote from TASS: "Vladimir Tkachuk, CEO of Uraldronzavod, which produces Upyr drones, has been injured as a result of a car explosion. He is in intensive care in a serious condition."

Details: TASS later reported that a criminal investigation into attempted murder has been launched following the explosion.

The blown-up car

Photo: Mash online media

Mash said an explosive device had been planted in Tkachuk's car. The explosion occurred in the village of Bolshoi Istok near Yekaterinburg.

Vladimir Tkachuk

Photo: Telegram channel UrFO_INFO

According to 66.RU, Tkachuk was not in the vehicle when the explosion occurred. The driver was killed instantly.

Background:

On 1 August, an explosion occurred at a restaurant in central Moscow. The target may have been Alexander Chaiko, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who was celebrating his 55th birthday there.
On 5 August, Russian media outlets reported that Chaiko's son-in-law, Daniil Peredriy, was killed in the explosion.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.