At around 6 p.m. on a Saturday, reports circulated that Daria Dugina, a political observer affiliated with the International Eurasian Movement led by her father, Alexander Dugin, attended a festival in the village of Zakharovo. The event featured Daria as a guest of honor, and she left the festival in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado around 21:25.
Earlier, authorities indicated that an explosive device may have been placed in the vehicle in the parking area near the event. Plans to travel with Daria were aborted when her father chose a different car at the last moment.
Shortly after, at about 21:35, Daria’s car proceeded along Mozhayskoye Highway toward Bolshiye Vyazemy. A powerful explosion occurred near Bolshiye Vyazemy in the Odintsovo district, causing the vehicle to crash into a fence and catch fire. The driver, a woman born in 1992, died at the scene. Traffic in the Golitsyno region was subsequently halted to manage the incident.
Eyewitnesses reported the blast happened while Daria was driving along the Mozhaisk highway. Initial theories suggested a gas cylinder in the SUV, but investigators soon prioritized the possibility of an improvised explosive device as the cause of the explosion.
Following the explosion, Alexander Dugin arrived at the scene and spoke of a tragedy in front of his father. A video circulated online showing the philosopher with his head in his hands, surveying the burning vehicle belonging to Daria.
Investigators are actively working with Dugin to reconstruct every detail of the incident. Law enforcement and forensic experts are at the scene, examining the deceased and assessing the source of the explosive device found beneath the SUV.
Telegram reports indicated that the Tradition festival offered two parking lots and listed Dugin as a participant. The father and daughter arrived separately and parked where the entrance allowed free access, with no cameras nearby. Preliminary information points to the possibility that the explosive device was planted at one of these locations.
A nearby flower shop worker told reporters she heard two explosions during the event and saw smoke and flames envelop the vehicle. She contacted emergency services, who had already received prior notification of the incident. Another witness described the blast as extraordinarily powerful and recalled seeing a burning car from a nearby vantage point.
Despicable acts and the investigation into the attack
The Moscow Region Investigative Committee opened a criminal case concerning a murder carried out in a dangerous manner. Officials confirmed that in the evening hours near Bolshie Vyazemy, a Toyota Land Cruiser was struck by an explosive device and ignited, resulting in the driver’s death. The deceased was identified as the journalist and political analyst Daria Dugina. Criminologists, investigators and explosives experts continue to examine the scene, with forensics and molecular analysis on the agenda as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Influential voices commented on the tragedy, condemning the perpetrators and linking the attack to broader geopolitical tensions. A prominent regional leader denounced the perpetrators as despicable scoundrels and terrorists, stressing that violence has no place in political discourse. Others attributed the incident to ongoing conflict dynamics, cautioning against broad generalizations while emphasizing the gravity of the act.
Speculation and official statements alike underscored the impact of the loss on families, communities and public figures connected to the case. The international reaction echoed calls for accountability and restrained responses from all parties involved.
Analysts and commentators reiterated that the attack targets governance, ideology and the safety of public spaces. They noted the need for thorough investigation, transparency in findings, and careful handling of sensitive information as the case unfolds.
In related commentary, discussions about the broader implications for regional stability and political movements continued. While some figures framed the incident within a wider struggle, others urged careful consideration of evidence and avoidance of unfounded accusations as investigators pursue the truth.
Alexander Dugin and his daughter
Alexander Dugin is widely recognized as a philosopher, political scientist, journalist and professor who helped shape the neo-Eurasianism movement. He has held leadership roles within academic and political circles and has taught at prominent institutions. His work has earned him both honorary positions and international recognition in various circles. Since 2015, Dugin has faced sanctions from several Western governments in connection with events in Ukraine, a measure that reflects the geopolitical tensions surrounding his public profile.
Daria Dugina, born in 1992, is the daughter of Alexander Dugin from his second marriage to the philosopher Natalya Melentyeva. She studied philosophy at Moscow State University and worked as a political observer for the International Eurasian Movement, contributing analysis and commentary aligned with her father’s perspectives.