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The family of the chief designer of the Lancet and Orlan UAVs, Director of ZALA Aero Group - Oleksandr Zakharov

03.11.2023

Chief Designer Behind Russia’s “Lancet” and “Orlan” Drones: Oleksandr Zakharov
OsintFlow has compiled key information on Oleksandr Vyacheslavovych Zakharov, the director of ZALA Aero Group and chief designer of the Lancet and Orlan UAVs. Zakharov’s family is deeply involved in the company’s operations, from domestic suppliers to international connections.

ZALA Aero Group is a Russian drone manufacturer based in Izhevsk, supplying UAVs to the Russian government, including the Ministry of Defense, and exporting to other countries such as Peru and Kazakhstan. The company is officially listed as a partner of UAV LATAM, headquartered in Panama (INNOVA 104, Building 104, Office 14, Ciudad del Saber, Clayton).

Zakharov controls 50.85% of ZALA Aero Group (LLC CST – Center for Special Technologies), while the remaining stake belongs to the Kalashnikov Concern. He is not only the owner but also the lead designer of the company’s drone programs.

Family involvement is significant:

  • Nikita Zakharov, his son, runs Aeroscan LLC, a major supplier to CST, generating 3.8 billion rubles in revenue in 2022, with contracts worth 2.5 billion rubles. He previously served as deputy CEO of ZALA Aero and publicly demonstrated drones to senior Russian officials.
  • Maria Zakharova, his daughter, operates NTC Orion, another key supplier, reporting 400 million rubles in revenue and 500 million in government contracts in 2022.

Other suppliers to CST include OMP LLC, based in Novosibirsk, which trades extensively with China, importing components such as electric motors, aluminum, and fasteners.

Active contacts for ZALA Aero Group / CST departments: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Oleksandr Vyacheslavovych Zakharov is the owner of ZALA and CST and the creator and chief designer of the “Lancet” and “Orlan” suicide drones, which are being used by the Russian military in Ukraine

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Alexander Vyacheslavovich Zakharov

Date of birth: 21.09.1965 (Izhevsk, Russia)
TIN: 183111242406
Passport: 9411216213 ( 9403996204, V-НИ738792)
Known addresses:
Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 88 Baranova Street
Udmurt Republic, Oktyabrsky District, Izhevsk, Building 272, Apartment 41
Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 272 Pushkinskaya Street, Apartment 41
Vehicle: Тойота Т421МР18
OK: https://ok.ru/profile/79308391342
Email: [email protected]

CST LLC, former director now holds 50.900% of Centre of Modern Technologies LLC
Moscow, Perunovsky Lane, 3/2
His wife is a co-owner, and his son Nikita is a deputy director.

A significant track record in government contracts:
https://clearspending.ru/supplier/?namesearch=&search-submit=®ioncode=&address=&orgform=&inn=1841015504&kpp=&sort=&filter=True

Involved in the following organizations:
JSC “Kalashnikov Concern” – Co-owner, 49.100% stake
JSC “Transkomplektholding” – Co-owner, 2.000% stake
LLC “Transkomplektholding” – Co-owner, 2.000% stake
NP “Association of Unmanned Systems” – Former position: Acting Director

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Son, Zakharov Nikita Aleksandrovich

Date of birth: 27.10.1986
Passport: 9412282330
TIN: 184101937739
SNILS: 17213194442
Known addresses: Russia, Izhevsk, 116 40 Let Pobedy Street, Apartment 65

Phone numbers: +79855407740; +79128539035
VK: https://vk.com/id51781182
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Ukrainian driver’s license – information valid as of 2017

Organizations:

  • LLC “RTK” – Russian drone manufacturing company. General Director and Owner, 100% stake
    Address: Moscow, Otradnoye Municipal District, Vysokovoltny Proyezd, Building 1, 2nd Floor

  • LLC “Aeroscan” – Owner, 100% stake
    Russian UAV manufacturer involved in procurement of drones and drone components for ZALA Aero Group

  • EMERGENCY DIGITAL SOLUTIONS – Russian IT company, 100% ownership

  • LLC “OMP” (INN: 5403049953) – Russian technology company, reportedly acting as a front for a polymer company that supplies components to ZALA Aero Group.
    Director: Maksim Alekseevich Kotelnikov, also an employee of ZALA Aero Group and Mi-8 pilot

  • LLC “Khartis DV” (INN: 7733753978) – Operating in the Russian radio-electronics market since 2015, specializing in procurement of electronic components for ZALA Aero Group.
    General Director: Dmitriy Alekseevich Dmitriev

  • ID SOLUTION (LLC “ID Solution”) (INN: 5003091492) – Russian software development company. ID SOLUTION sells components obtained from intermediaries in third countries to direct suppliers of CST / ZALA Aero Group. The company advertises Russian state agencies and research institutes among its clients.
    Address: Moscow, Dorozhnaya Street, Building 60B, Room 421
    General Director: Igor Nikolaevich Ivlev, also listed as an employee of ZALA Aero

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Wife, Svetlana Nikolaevna Zakharova

Date of birth: 18.03.1964
Passport: 9403386023 (9408004910)
TIN: 183111242572
SNILS: 06124865955
Known addresses: Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 272 Pushkinskaya Street, Apartment 41

Organizations:

  • LLC “INVEST-GROUP” (ООО “ИНВЕСТ-ГРУПП”) – Owner, 100% stake
    Address: Moscow, Maryina Roshcha Municipal District, Perunovsky Lane, Building 3, 3rd Floor
    Executives:
    Denis Nikolaevich Repin (INN: 772076279021)
    Gennady Sergeevich Rozhkov (INN: 183511162917)

  • LLC “CST” (INN: 1841015504) – Former co-owner until March 3, 2023, 1% stake
    Address: Moscow, Perunovsky Lane, 3/2

Government Contracts and Procurement:
https://clearspending.ru/supplier/?namesearch=&search-submit=®ioncode=&address=&orgform=&inn=1841015504&kpp=&sort=&filter=True
The company’s management includes Konstantin Igorevich Abashkin, who is also an employee of LLC CST.
Zakharov’s son, Nikita Zakharov, serves as Deputy Director and is also employed at LLC CST.

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Daughter, Maria Aleksandrovna Zakharova
(She changed her surname to Osetrova after marriage, which is also confirmed by her taxpayer identification number (INN)

Date of birth: 07.01.1988
Passport: 9411 231220
TIN: 183116181362
SNILS: 15585209385
Known addresses:
• Russia, Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 1 Lyzhnaia Street, 426039
• Moscow, Sadovaya-Sukharevskaya Street, Building 8/12, Apartment 44

Phone number: +79128539003
VK: https://vk.com/id5812126
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Organizations:

  • LLC “NTC ORION” (INN: 9715302790),— electronics company involved in procuring components for ZALA Aero Group. Owner: 100% stake
    The management includes individuals who are also linked to ZALA Aero Group, including:
    Ilya Aleksandrovich Obukhov (INN: 183113105035) — also an employee of ZALA Aero Group
    Dmitry Leonidovich Solovyov (INN: 183500494830)
    Sergey Vladimirovich Lazebny (INN: 03218484824)

Government procurement records: https://clearspending.ru/supplier/inn=9715302790&kpp=771501001
Address:Moscow, Marfino Municipal District, Gostinichnaya Street, Building 7A, Premises 1/1

  • LLC “DORIS” (INN: 1841050040) —
    Owner and General Director: 100% stake
    Address: Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 118 40 Let Pobedy Street, Office 43

  • LLC “INTERCOM” (INN: 1831132960) — Owner, 100% stake
    Director: Her husband
    Address: Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 246 Karl Marx Street, Building B

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Son-in-law, Dmitry Sergeevich Osetrov

Date of birth: 22.06.1981
TIN: 183106265366
SNILS: 07290139761
Known addresses: Russia, Izhevsk, 1 Lyzhnaya Street

Phone numbers: +79128566040
VK: https://vk.com/id449797143

Previously was as Director of LLC “ORION”
(Address: Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, 246 Karl Marx Street)

Current Director:
Andrey Rudolfovich Dedyukhin (INN: 183110062538)

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The younger son deserves special attention, Lavrentiy Aleksandrovich Zakharov

Date of birth: 26.02.1999
Passport: 9412329099
SNILS: 19934588646
TIN: 183115326336

Phone number:+79127512635
VK: https://vk.com/id346266175, https://vk.com/id192844696
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lavrentii-zakharov

Most recent position (according to publicly available sources): Specialist at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
Until 2023: Security Analyst at the World Food Programme (WFP).
Until 2022 (post-invasion period): Political Affairs Intern at the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

Further corroborating our findings, we found an article on a U.S. government website - https://www.state.gov/taking-additional-sweeping-measures-against-russia/
Based on its analysis, we were able to update the supply chain data for Zala Aero Group.

The remaining companies involved in the procurement or support of Zala Aero Group, according to the U.S. government site, include:

  • OOO MVizion – shipped multiple batches of electronic components and ID SOLUTION software.

  • Sputnik Electronics – Russian company engaged in wholesale trade of computers, peripherals, and software; purchases electronic components for Zala Aero Group.

  • Technical Center “Vindek” – Russian electronics manufacturer supplying components to Zala Aero Group.

  • AlfaKomponent – Russian electronics manufacturer purchasing electronic components for Zala Aero Group.

  • Fotopark – Russian tech company selling optics and lenses to Zala Aero Group.

  • BIK Inform – Russian technology company sourcing components for Zala Aero Group.

  • Nanochip – Russian electronics company supplying electronic components to Zala Aero Group.

  • N Chip MSC – Russian electronics company involved in component procurement for Zala Aero Group.

  • Sputnik Specpostavka – Russian electronics manufacturer supplying components to Zala Aero Group.

  • Entep – Russian electronics company sourcing electronic components for Zala Aero Group.

  • SpecTechnotrade – Russian company procuring metal components for Zala Aero Group UAV fuselages.

  • OrelMetalPolymer – Russian metal-coating enterprise sourcing aluminum for Zala Aero Group.

  • Bestop Globle MFG Limited – Hong Kong-based company importing aluminum components for Zala Aero Group’s supply chain.

  • Neway Technologies Limited – Hong Kong-based company.

  • Legion Komplekt – Russian wholesale company sourcing engines and components for Zala Aero Group.

  • Baltelektron – Russian reseller of microelectronics and technical components.

  • Makro Tim – Russian distributor of electronic components.

  • Dafeng Asia Co LLC (Dafeng) – Mongolian electronics trading intermediary that supplied at least ten shipments of electronic goods to Baltelektron.

  • A separate article will cover the Panama and Kazakhstan branches, as well as the list of employees (approximately fifty people). Stay tuned to our channel https://t.me/osintflow.