Vladimir Tkachuk, Uraldronzavod chief, critically injured in car bomb near Yekaterinburg

Vladimir Tkachuk Uraldronzavod car bomb Yekaterinburg Upyr drones

On 5 August 2026 a car bomb exploded in the village of Bolshoy Istok, near Yekaterinburg in Russia’s Ural region. The device was placed under the Mercedes of Vladimir Tkachuk, the chief executive of the drone‑manufacturing firm Uraldronzavod. The blast killed his driver/bodyguard and left Tkachuk seriously wounded; he was taken to intensive care where doctors are fighting to keep him alive. Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation and are treating the incident as an attempted assassination, but no group has claimed responsibility.

Uraldronzavod produces the cheap first‑person‑view “Upyr” (also called “Ghoul”) FPV drones that are supplied to the Russian military for use in Ukraine. The company is subject to European and U.S. sanctions because of its role in the war. Tkachuk also runs the pro‑war Telegram channel “Obsessed with War”, which has more than 500 000 followers. The attack follows a series of recent assaults on Russian figures linked to the drone industry.

Entities

Bolshoy Istok · European Union · FPV Upyr drone · Obsessed with War · Russia · Russian Armed Forces · Russian military · Russian security services · Upyr FPV drone · Upyr FPV drones · Upyr drone · Uraldrone

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 28 SOURCES] The incident took place on 5 August 2026. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The explosion is being investigated as an attempted assassination. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The explosion occurred in Bolshoy Istok, a village near Yekaterinburg. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] Vladimir Tkachuk was injured in the car explosion. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] Uraldronzavod is under European and U.S. sanctions. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The driver of the car was killed in the explosion. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] Uraldronzavod manufactures Upyr FPV drones used by the Russian military in Ukraine. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 28 SOURCES] Vladimir Tkachuk is in intensive care in serious condition. www.gazetebirlik.com · seleo.gr · srnnews.com · pelop.gr · www.real.gr · +13 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Vladimir Tkachuk runs the pro‑war Telegram channel “Obsessed with War”, which has over 500 000 followers. samacharnama.com · epochtimestr.com · soha.vn · www.actualno.com · www.gazetebirlik.com · +8 more