Yaroslav Oleynik, a key figure in Ukraine’s military drone program, was killed in a car crash over the weekend. Oleynik, who was just 28 years old, played a crucial role in boosting Ukraine’s drone manufacturing to fight against Russia.
The accident happened just days after Oleynik’s boss, Aleksandr Kamyshin, left his position as Ukraine’s Strategic Industries Minister due to a major government shake-up. Oleynik was driving with his wife, Nina, when their car was involved in a fatal collision.
Here’s what we know: Oleynik’s Mitsubishi Pajero was hit head-on by another vehicle, a Mitsubishi L-200, driven by a military service member. The other driver had swerved into Oleynik’s lane after hitting a wild boar. Tragically, both Oleynik and his wife died at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle survived and is now recovering in the hospital.
The accident occurred late Saturday night in the Zhitomir Region, a rural area of Ukraine. The news was confirmed by Anna Gvozdyar, a former deputy of Kamyshin, and by Kamyshin himself.
Oleynik was known for his work in developing drones that Ukraine used in its fight against Russia. Before his role in the government, he was a drone operator in the Ukrainian military and had a reputation as a dedicated supporter of Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Just last week, Kamyshin had praised Ukraine’s progress in making its own weapons, though he admitted the country’s finances limited their efforts. Kamyshin had recently traveled with President Zelensky to Germany to discuss weapons donations from Western allies.
Oleynik’s death is a significant blow to Ukraine’s drone program. Only days before the accident, Russia had struck a Ukrainian military training center, killing recruits and leading to the suspension of the commander of Ukraine’s drone operations. With Oleynik’s death and recent attacks, Ukraine’s drone efforts are facing a tough road ahead.
