'Daughter of "Putin's Mentor" Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances, Could It Ignite Ukraine Conflict? (Comprehensive)'

Russia: "Act of Ukrainian Secret Agents... Vile and Cruel"
Ukraine: "We Are Not a Terrorist State," Strongly Denies
Some in Russia Suggest Anti-Putin Group Behind Terrorism

On the 22nd (local time), citizens gathered in downtown Moscow, Russia, to commemorate Darya Dugina, who passed away on the 20th, placing candles and flowers in front of Dugina's photo. Moscow (Russia) = Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian intelligence authorities recently pointed to Ukraine as the force behind the death of Darya Dugina, daughter of Aleksandr Dugin, who is known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spiritual mentor, in a car explosion incident. While Russia claims that a Ukrainian secret agent infiltrated and carried out a car bomb attack, the Ukrainian government strongly denies any involvement. Concerns are also being raised that this incident, occurring just six months before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, could potentially ignite prolonged conflict.

According to TASS news agency on the 22nd (local time), the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated in a press release, “An investigation into the death of Darya Dugina in Moscow on the 20th revealed that Dugina died when an explosive device installed in her car detonated while she was driving,” adding, “Natalya Vovk, a Ukrainian secret agent, is the prime suspect.” The Russian side further claimed, “She arrived in Russia last month, rented an apartment in the same building as Dugina, investigated Dugina for a month, and after causing the car explosion, fled Russia and escaped to Estonia.”

The deceased Dugina was the daughter of Aleksandr Dugin, a political philosopher known as Putin’s spiritual mentor and a leading far-right nationalist thinker in Russia. She had been active as a political commentator supporting President Putin. Dugin is known within Russia as “Putin’s philosopher” and is regarded as a key political advisor to President Putin. He has emphasized “Russia First” ideology and the necessity of the invasion of Ukraine to restore the glory of the former Russian Empire, reportedly exerting significant influence on Putin’s plans for the Ukraine invasion.

The image shows Alexander Dugin, a Russian political philosopher known as Putin's spiritual mentor.
[Image source= AFP·Yonhap News]

President Putin also expressed strong anger in a condolence message sent to Dugin and his 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.”

This incident occurred amid rising military tensions on the frontlines between Ukraine and Russia, just before Ukraine’s Independence Day on the 24th. The 24th also marks the six-month anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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.”

Ukraine vehemently 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 like Russia nor a terrorist state,” asserting that the incident is unrelated to Ukrainian authorities.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Ukraine also canceled the Independence Day events scheduled for the 24th due to concerns over a possible Russian offensive. According to CNN, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message released that day, “Everyone should be aware that Russia may attempt ugly and malicious acts this week,” adding, “From today until the 25th, large public events and gatherings will be prohibited.”

Estonia, where Russia claims the Ukrainian secret agent fled, is also concerned about potential fallout. According to The New York Times (NYT), the Estonian government issued a statement saying, “We have not received any official information requests from the Russian government regarding this matter,” and declined to comment.

There are concerns that Russia might use this incident as a justification to launch another large-scale offensive against Ukraine. The United Nations has unusually called on Russia for 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.”

Meanwhile, some in Russia speculate that the attack was not carried out by Ukraine but by anti-Putin forces within Russia. According to the American news weekly Newsweek, former Russian State Duma member and dissident Ilya Ponomarev stated on his social media, “This incident was the act of the National Republican Army (NRA), a previously little-known anti-government organization within Russia,” adding, “This event opens a new chapter in the widespread resistance against Putinism inside Russia, and it will not be the last.”

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