Russian FPV Drone Developer Critically Injured in Car Bombing Near Yekaterinburg

Vladimir Tkachuk, general director of Russian drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod and developer of the Upyr FPV attack drone, was critically injured in a car bombing near Yekaterinburg on Wednesday, Aug. 5, Russian media reported, citing emergency services. An explosive device planted beneath his Mercedes detonated, leaving Tkachuk in intensive care in critical condition. Investigators have opened a criminal case for attempted murder, according to the Yekaterinburg news outlet E1.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Developer of FPV drones used against Ukraine The Upyr is a Russian combat FPV (first-person view) drone that has been used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine since 2023. Development of the drone began in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region, funded by private and volunteer initiatives. Tkachuk also runs the pro-war Russian Telegram channel “Povyornutye na voyne” (Obsessed With War), which has more than 660,000 subscribers. FPV drones on the front lines FPV drones have become a critical weapon on both sides of the war in Ukraine. These low-cost, maneuverable drones are typically used as kamikaze weapons, allowing operators to guide them directly into targets using a video feed transmitted to goggles or a screen. Russia has increasingly relied on domestically produced FPV drones to supplement its military capabilities amid Western sanctions that have restricted access to foreign components. The car bombing follows a pattern of targeted attacks against Russian military figures and defense industry personnel since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Other Topics of Interest Drone With Detonator Found Near Ukrainian Plane at Leipzig Airport A drone carrying a package with a detonator was found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport, prompting a security lockdown. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.