The Ukrainian secret service was behind the murder of journalist Daria Dugina, the daughter of Putin’s domestic ideologist Alexander Dugin. At least, that is what the Russian intelligence service FSB decides after the investigation into the murder that was completed well one day after the facts.
According to the FSB, Ukrainian Natalia Vovk was behind the attack, and the woman has since fled to Estonia. Moscow wants her extradition.
The 30-year-old daughter of political philosopher and ultra-nationalist Dugin was killed near Moscow on the night from Saturday to Sunday when her car was remotely detonated. After allegations were made against Ukraine in Russian state media on Sunday, Ukraine had already strongly denied any involvement in the murder.
Meanwhile, a former Russian member of parliament fled to Kyiv and said on Sunday evening that he claimed responsibility for the attack in the name of the unknown National Republican Army. However, that information could not be verified.
Natalia Vovk, born in 1979, arrived in Russia on July 23 with her 12-year-old daughter, according to the FSB. “On the day of the murder, both attended the Tradition literary and music festival, where Dugina was a guest of honor,” the FSB said. In recent weeks, she is said to have rented an apartment in the building where Dugina also lived.
The FSB adds that the attack was directed against Dugina, who is actually not that well known in Russia, while her father is much better known. Initially, Dugin was supposed to drive with his daughter, but at the last minute, it was decided that he would take another car. Like her father, Dugina is also a supporter of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The bomb that was pinned under Dugina’s car was detonated from a distance, a source within the emergency services reported to the Russian state news agency TASS. “It has now become clear that the bomb under Dugina’s car was activated from a distance. Therefore, her car was likely followed closely, and her movements were monitored,” the source said.
An explosive device attached to Daria Dugina’s car on Saturday evening exploded. The 30-year-old woman did not survive the attack. The investigation revealed that the bomb was attached to the driver’s side. The attack was premeditated, according to the Russian investigative committee.
According to a family confidant, the car in question belonged to Alexander Dugin, and there are suspicions that he was the target, not his daughter. An unknown group claimed responsibility for the attack. On Sunday, a former Russian MP said that the National Republican Army had authorized him to make a statement. However, the information was not officially confirmed.
Immediately after the incident, Russia accused Ukraine of being behind the attack. Ukraine vehemently denies those allegations.
