MOSCOW — An explosion in the outskirts of Moscow has killed the daughter of a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 2
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Daria Dugina, 29, was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser Sunday when the vehicle exploded. Authorities in Russia have launched a criminal investigation.
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She was the daughter of Alexander Dugin, who is often called "Putin's brain." Dugin is a prominent Russian nationalist intellectual
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whose vision of a revived Russian empire came to influence Putin's war in neighboring Ukraine.
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For over a decade, both father and daughter have advocated for Russia's invasion. They have said many times that Russia can only thrive if Ukraine is destroyed.
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Dugin was placed on Western sanctions lists as a key proponent of the Kremlin's forced annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
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He also backed Russia's decisions to send troops into Ukraine earlier this year.
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The United States imposed sanctions on his daughter in March after she served as chief editor for United World International
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which the Treasury Department classified as a disinformation site. The United Kingdom also placed sanctions against Dugina in July.
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Several Dugin allies immediately suggested he was the target of the blast and blamed the Ukrainian government, which denied any role in the incident.