Russian assassination attempt on Ukrainian drone expert 'Flash' fails

Russian forces attempted to assassinate Serhiy Beskrestnov, a key Ukrainian electronic warfare and drone expert known as 'Flash', by sending five drones to his family home in the Kyiv suburb of Brovary.

The attack occurred on Monday, 20 April 2026, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down at least two of the drones, but one drone struck Beskrestnov's house, causing significant damage.

Beskrestnov was wounded but survived the attack and was treated in hospital.

Authorities confirmed that the drones hit a house and wounded a man born in 1974, consistent with Beskrestnov's age of 51.

Photos posted by Beskrestnov showed a completely destroyed building and a burned-out car, indicating the severity of the strike.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian attempts to target key Ukrainian military figures and advisers.

Beskrestnov, although a civilian, has been advising Ukraine's defense minister on technology since 2026 and is a prominent figure in Ukraine's drone and electronic warfare efforts.

Previous assassination attempts include those against Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi and the commander of the 3rd Army Corps, Andriy Biletsky.

These efforts highlight the strategic importance Russia places on disrupting Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Beskrestnov has been active in supporting Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the full-scale invasion and has a large following on social media where he discusses drone warfare technologies.

The attack underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict and Russia's focus on eliminating individuals who contribute significantly to Ukraine's military effectiveness.

#SerhiyBeskrestnov #dronewarfare #assassinationattempt #Ukraine #Russia