December 28, 2025

In Loo of Drones


In Loo of Drones
Unqualified sucess? The Russian Life files.

As Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, drones have become such critical weapons of the frontline that they featured prominently in last year's Victory Day parade). And who better to spearhead such a cornerstone of the Russian offensive than a businessman nicknamed Yuri Unitaz ("Toilet")?

On December 26, pro-democracy news outlet CurrentTime revealed that the new head of Russia's drone forces is a certain Yuri Vaganov. Notably, Vaganov has no military expertise or education. Before 2022, Vaganov was a small businessman in a Moscow suburb specializing in plumbing supplies and equipment; hence the nickname, "Yuri Toilet."

However, he soon diversified, becoming the largest producer of first-person-view (FPV) drones in Russia. In the ongoing war in Ukraine, these drones are small, cheap, accurate, and hard to counter, often fitted with grenades or other munitions to cause havoc to vehicles and personnel.

Vaganov has undoubtedly become influential and wealthy by manufacturing drones, as they have become a major part of the war in Ukraine.

No word yet on a potential crossover that might incorporate Vaganov's previous career.

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