The daughter of a close ally of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has been killed in a suspected car bomb.
Darya Dugina died after an explosion on a road outside Moscow, Russia’s investigative committee said.
It is thought her father, the Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin who is known as “Putin’s brain,” may have been the intended target of the attack.
Mr Dugin is a prominent ultra-nationalist ideologue who is believed to be close to the Russian president.
Alexander Dugin and his daughter had been at a festival at an estate near Moscow, where the philosopher gave a lecture.
The “Tradition” festival describes itself as a family event for art lovers which takes place at the Zakharovo estate where Russian poet Alexander Pushkin once stayed.
IMAGE SOURCE,UNKNOWN Image caption, Darya Dugina was vocal in her support for the Russian government on UkraineUnverified footage posted on Telegram appears to show Mr Dugin watching in shock as emergency services arrive at the scene of the burning wreck of a vehicle.
The BBC has not been able to verify the footage independently.
Investigators confirmed that Ms Dugina died at the scene near the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy.
They said that an explosive device, which was planted under the car on the driver’s side, went off before the vehicle caught fire. Forensic and explosive experts are investigating.
IMAGE SOURCE,INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Image caption, Russian investigators at the scene of the vehicle explosion
A Ukrainian official has dismissed accusations of Ukrainian involvement in the incident.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, said in a Telegram post that if any Ukrainian link was found it would amount to “state terrorism”.
BBC
