Darya Dugina: what is known about the alleged car bomb attack in which the daughter of one of Putin’s ideologues died

It is an attack that is opening many questions in Russia.

Daria Duginadaughter of the Russian philosopher Alexander Duginwho is known as “the brain” of President Vladimir Putindied after his car allegedly exploded while he was driving home, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

The attack, which occurred on Saturday night near Moscow, was presumably aimed at his father, Russian authorities said.

The indications point to the attack was planned. The explosives were planted in the car of Dugin, who changed cars with her daughter at the last minute after attending an event outside Moscow.

Dugin and his daughter were guests of honor at a festival at the Zakharovo estate, where the philosopher gave a lecture.

Although the investigation is ongoing, the authorities announced that the security cameras in the parking lot where the car was parked were not working.

Dugina died on the spotnear the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy.

Images posted on Telegram appear to show Dugin looking on in shock as emergency services arrive at the scene of the burning vehicle.

So far, the Russian authorities they have not identified those responsible of the explosion.

Investigators confirmed that Dugina, who was behind the wheel, died at the scene near the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy. They explained that an explosive device placed under the car exploded and the vehicle caught fire. Forensic and explosives experts are investigating.

Dugina’s death sparked a wave of speculation in Russia about the background and consequences of this crime, the BBC’s Russian service reported.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairssaid in a Telegram post that if any link to Ukraine were found it would amount to “state terrorism”.

Supporters of Dugin’s thinking blame the Ukrainians, although they have not provided any evidence.

On the contrary, his liberal opponents hint at the involvement of the Russian special services, although they have not offered any proof either.

The first question posed by Russian analysts after the explosion of Dugina’s car was if his father was the target.

Ukrainian authorities have dismissed accusations that it was involved in the attack, saying it is related to political infighting in Russia.

“Ukraine, of course, has nothing to do with this, because we are not a criminal state, which the Russian Federation is, and much less a terrorist state,” said Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Incidents like this will unnerve Moscow officials, especially after a series of explosions and attacks on the Crimean peninsula – annexed by Russia in 2014 – and in Russian regions near the Ukrainian border.

Kremlin propaganda constantly emphasizes how Vladimir Putin brought security and stability to Russia after the turbulent 1990s, when car bombs and assassinations were commonplace.

This car bomb in the Russian capital undermines that narrative.

Analysis by Will Vernon, BBC journalist in Moscow

Although Alexander Dugin is not a state official, he is a symbolic figure in Russian politics.

his philosophy ultra-nationalist and anti-western it has become the dominant political ideology in Russia and has helped shape President Putin’s expansionist foreign policy, most notably in Ukraine.

Attention will now turn to who was behind this attack.

Denis Pushilin, the “head” of the self-proclaimed, pro-Russian “Donetsk People’s Republic”, has already blamed Ukraine, writing on Telegram: “Vile villains! The terrorists of the Ukrainian regime, trying to eliminate Alexander Dugin, blew up his daughter … In a car. We celebrate the memory of Darya, she is a true daughter of Russia!”

Although he does not hold an official position in the government, Dugina’s father is a close ally of the Russian president and has even been described as the “Putin’s Rasputin”.

Dugina was a prominent journalistwho openly supported the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this year it was sanctioned by the American and British authorities, who accused the 29-year-old of contributing to the “disinformation” on the internet in connection with the invasion of Russia.

In May, Dugina described the war in an interview as a “clash of civilizations” and expressed pride in the fact that both she and her father had been sanctioned by the West.

Alexander Dugin was sanctioned by the United States in 2015 for his alleged involvement in Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

His writings are credited with profoundly influencing Vladimir Putin’s worldview and he is considered one of the leading intellectual architects of ultranationalist ideology to which many in the Kremlin adhere.

For years, Dugin has called on Moscow to assert itself more aggressively on the world stage and has supported Russian military action in Ukraine.

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