The daughter of an ultranationalist Russian ideologue believed to have had a strong influence on Vladimir Putin has been killed in a car bomb on the outskirts of Moscow, according to multiple media reports.
Darya Dugin, daughter of Russian political commentator Alexander Dugin – dubbed “Putin’s brain” – died when the Toyota Land Cruiser she was driving was ripped apart by a powerful explosion about 20km west of the capital at around 9.30pm local time.
The blast occurred near the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy, according to Russian media sites Baza and 112, and state-owned Novaya Gazeta.
Witnesses said debris was thrown all over the road as the car was engulfed in flames before crashing into a fence, according to reports.
Emergency services said there had been one person in the car and that they died at the scene.
Andrey Krasnov, a friend of Dugina and the head of the Russian Horizon social movement, confirmed the reports, according to the news agency Tass.
He said that the bomb could have been intended for her father.
“This was the father’s vehicle. Darya was driving another car but she took his car today, while Alexander went in a different way. He returned, he was at the site of the tragedy. As far as I understand, Alexander or probably they together were the target,” Krasnov said.
The media outlet 112 also claimed that Dugin and his daughter had been at an event outside Moscow and had been due to travel back together until he decided to go separately at the last minute.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show him at the scene in a state of distress.
The head of the self-proclaimed, pro-Kremlin Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin , wrote on his Telegram channelthat Daria Dugin had been killed and blamed the Ukrainian government.
“Vile villains! The terrorists of the Ukrainian regime, trying to eliminate Alexander Dugin, blew up his daughter… In a car. Blessed memory of Daria, she is a real Russian girl!”
Dugin is known for developing an extreme rightwing view of Russia’s place in the world. He has been described as a “Russian fascist” who has helped shape Vladimir Putin’s expansionist foreign policy.
story by Martin farrer