Russia Points to Ukraine Behind Death of Putin Brain's Daughter: "Act of Ukrainian Secret Agent"

Ukraine Firmly Denies "We Are Not a Terrorist State"
Concerns Over Prolonged War... UN Also Urges "Thorough Investigation"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian intelligence authorities have pointed to Ukraine as the force behind the recent death of Darya Dugina, daughter of Aleksandr Dugin, who is known as the spiritual mentor of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a car explosion incident. While Russia vehemently accuses a Ukrainian secret agent of infiltrating and carrying out the car bomb attack, the Ukrainian government strongly denies Russia's claims.

Amid preparations for large-scale offensives by both sides around the Crimean Peninsula, concerns are rising that this incident could ignite a prolonged war, prompting the United Nations to unusually call for a thorough investigation by Russia.

According to TASS news agency on the 22nd (local time), the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated in a press release, "As a result of the investigation into the death of Darya Dugina in Moscow on the 20th, it was confirmed that Dugina died when an explosive device installed in the vehicle detonated while she was driving." The statement added, "Natalya Vovk, a Ukrainian secret agent, is the prime suspect. She arrived in Russia on the 23rd of last month, rented an apartment in the same building as Dugina, and investigated Dugina for a month."

The deceased Dugina was a political commentator and the daughter of Aleksandr Dugin, a Russian political philosopher known as Putin's political mentor and 'brain.' Dugin has emphasized Russian nationalism, prioritizing Russia and restoring past glory, and is known to have significantly influenced President Putin's plans for the invasion of Ukraine.

President Putin also expressed strong anger in a condolence message sent to the Dugin family on the same day, stating, "The talented Dugina, who possessed the true spirit of a Russian, has been taken by a vile and cruel crime."

Military tensions are intensifying in the frontline areas between Ukraine and Russia, including the Crimean Peninsula, where a large-scale offensive is expected ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on the 24th. The British Guardian reported, "With expectations that Russia will escalate attacks around Ukraine's Independence Day, the death of Dugina could serve as a pretext for Russia to launch a large-scale offensive."

The Ukrainian side firmly denies any connection to the incident. Mykhailo Podolyak, senior advisor to the Ukrainian presidential office, stated at a press conference, "Ukraine is neither a criminal state nor a terrorist state like Russia," asserting that the incident is unrelated to Ukrainian authorities.

As concerns grow that this incident could trigger a prolonged war between the two sides, the United Nations has also unusually urged Russia to conduct a thorough investigation. UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, through spokesperson St?phane Dujarric, issued a statement emphasizing, "Everything related to the death of Darya Dugina must be investigated more thoroughly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.