The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case involving two suspects accused of forging a vehicle registration document that allegedly played a role in the killing of political scientist and journalist Darya Dugina. The supervisory body disclosed the development on its official website, outlining the charges and the progression of the investigation.
Named in the case are Andrei Kuznetsov and Alexander Suchkov. Both are charged with the production and distribution of forged documents created to conceal or facilitate the commission of another crime. The authorities say the pair operated within a broader scheme to manufacture and circulate counterfeit papers.
According to investigators, from 2017 to 2022 an organized group, which included unidentified associates, worked to market forged documents. The materials suggest a coordinated effort to supply falsified documents for illicit purposes, exploiting the paper trail to support criminal acts instead of legitimate transactions.
In August of the preceding year, Suchkov and a partner in the city of Aramil, located in the Sverdlovsk region, allegedly produced an electronic template of a Ukrainian registration document for a Mini Cooper. After providing the digital model to Kuznetsov, he printed a hard copy on letterhead, creating a counterfeit document with apparent authenticity.
Investigators believe this forged registration was used in the plot surrounding Darya Dugina’s death. The case materials have been forwarded to the Proletarsky district court in Tula for a merits review and judicial consideration of the charges.
Darya Dugina, a Russian journalist and public intellectual, died in a car explosion on August 20 while she was returning from a public event. The incident occurred after she had attended a festival during which her philosopher father, Alexander Dugin, was delivering a talk. In the case related to Dugina’s death, Natalya Vovk was later named in absentia by the Moscow Basmanny Court as a suspect in the murder, as announced by authorities.
The ongoing proceedings reflect a broader concern with how forged documents are used to enable violent acts. Legal analysts note that the case underscores the importance of rigorous verification processes in civil and administrative records, especially when those documents intersect with high-profile investigations or political tensions. Authorities have stressed the need for careful, evidence-based examination of all material connected to the crime, including forged documents, digital templates, and other items that may have aided the alleged plot.
As the court evaluates the evidence, observers will be watching how prosecutors articulate the linkage between the forged registration paper and the alleged crime. The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracing the supply chains of falsified documents and distinguishing genuine records from counterfeit ones. The outcome may influence how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly where international elements or cross-border document formats are involved.
Officials have reiterated that the investigation remains active and ongoing. The court has yet to issue a final ruling on the merits of the charges, and the defendants retain the right to a fair defense as proceedings continue. The case will be adjudicated based on the presented evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis of the forged documents and their alleged connection to the crime.