‘To Hell with Them!’ — Russian Political Dissident on Putin Hit List Survives Kamikaze Drone Strikes in Ukraine

A Russian kamikaze drone struck the home of Ilya Ponomarev, a former Russian lawmaker and outspoken Kremlin critic, on Aug. 1, according to sources.

Ukrainian media reported that the attack injured Ponomarev, who has been a vocal opponent of Russian policies.

The attack came just a day after three drones reportedly targeted an area near Ponomarev's residence on July 31.

According to Obozrevatel, a Russian Geran-2 drone went off only five meters from Ponomarev's home, causing significant damage.

The former lawmaker sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, but they were not life-threatening injuries. A photo shared by the outlet showed Ponomarev with visible injuries.

Law enforcement sources confirmed with RBC Ukraine that Ponomarev's house was indeed hit during the overnight attack.

Sources from Obozrevatel suggest that the consecutive drone strikes indicate a deliberate targeting of Ponomarev by Russian forces. This claim, however, remains unverified, although the Kremlin has a history of targeting opponents living abroad.

Obozrevatel did state that Ponomarev is now under protection.

According to an official police report, authorities said a man and his wife were injured during an attack on Kyiv Oblast. However, they did not mention the names of the victims.

On social media platform X, Ponomarev wrote, “Today seems to be my second birthday. The fifth attack attempt was the most unconventional and the most successful and difficult to defend against. But to hell with them! I'll write details later."

Ponomarev, 48, made headlines in 2014 as the only member of Russia's State Duma to vote against the illegal seizure of Crimea.

He then fled Russia, first to the United States and then to Ukraine, where he gained citizenship in 2019.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ponomarev joined Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces and encouraged Russian citizens to take up arms against the Kremlin.

Earlier this year, Moscow labeled Ponomarev a terrorist and extremist and charged him with treason. He had been working closely with the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group of Russian fighters aligned with Ukraine, until the organization announced on July 31 that it would sever ties with him.