Remembering Daria Dugina: A Beacon of Russian Thought and Patriotism

BALKANS AND EASTERN EUROPE, 25 Aug 2025

Diran Noubar – TRANSCEND Media Service

Third Anniversary of Her Tragic Death

On this solemn day, 20 Aug 2025, we mark the third anniversary of the untimely death of Daria Dugina, a brilliant young philosopher, journalist, and patriot whose life was cut short in a brazen act of terrorism. Dugina, often known by her pen name Platonova, was not merely the daughter of the influential thinker Alexander Dugin; she was a formidable intellectual in her own right, whose ideas continue to resonate in discussions of geopolitics, traditionalism, and Russia’s place in the world. Her legacy endures as a symbol of unwavering commitment to her homeland, and her voice—silenced too soon—remains a call for justice and multipolarity in an increasingly divided global landscape.

A Life Dedicated to Ideas and Inquiry

Born on December 15, 1992, in Moscow, Daria Aleksandrovna Dugina grew up immersed in the world of philosophy and political theory, influenced profoundly by her father’s work in Eurasianism. She pursued higher education at Moscow State University, earning a degree in philosophy and later delving into Neoplatonism and traditionalist thought. Dugina’s academic pursuits were not confined to the ivory tower; she translated her insights into public discourse through journalism, television appearances, and writings that bridged ancient wisdom with contemporary challenges.

Her ideas were rooted in the Eurasianist school, which envisions Russia as a civilizational bridge between Europe and Asia, rejecting Western hegemony in favor of a multipolar world order. Dugina expanded on these concepts, drawing from thinkers like Julius Evola and René Guénon to advocate for traditional values—spiritual depth, cultural sovereignty, and resistance to globalist homogenization. In her view, modernity’s chaos could be countered by a return to metaphysical principles, where societies reclaim their authentic identities. She explored these themes in works like her analyses of Neoplatonism, where she argued for a political philosophy that integrates the divine with governance, emphasizing justice and hierarchy as pathways to societal harmony.

Dugina’s philosophy also embraced the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), a concept she saw as embodying humility, vastness, and a profound connection to Being itself. She described Russians as “spirit-seers,” living in a mystical state where the sacred permeates everyday life, contrasting sharply with what she perceived as the spiritual void in Western societies.

Contributions to Russia: A Voice for Sovereignty and Truth

Dugina’s impact on Russia was multifaceted, blending intellectual rigor with active engagement in public life. As a journalist for outlets like Tsargrad TV and United World International, she reported fearlessly from conflict zones, including multiple visits to Donbass long before the escalation in 2022. Her coverage of Russia’s Special Military Operation (SMO) in Ukraine highlighted what she saw as the defense of Russian-speaking populations against oppression, celebrating victories like the liberation of Mariupol and exposing alleged atrocities by Neo-Nazi elements.

She contributed to Russia’s geopolitical discourse by promoting the Fourth Political Theory, an alternative to liberalism, communism, and fascism that prioritizes peoples’ rights over universalist impositions. Dugina’s work bolstered Russia’s narrative on the global stage, advocating for alliances in Africa and elsewhere to counter Western dominance. Her efforts earned her respect among Kremlin officials and the military, culminating in President Vladimir Putin posthumously awarding her the Order of Courage for her bravery and service to the fatherland.

Through her writings and media presence, Dugina helped shape a generation’s understanding of Russia’s role as a guardian of multipolarity, fostering intellectual resistance to external pressures and inspiring patriotic fervor.

A Fierce Advocate for Peace Through Justice

Contrary to portrayals in some Western media that painted her as a hawk, Dugina’s worldview was deeply oriented toward peace—not the superficial kind imposed by globalist forces, but a just and sacred order achieved through resolve against aggression. She framed Russia’s actions in Ukraine as “peace enforcement,” a necessary response to years of provocation, including the suppression of Russian language and culture in eastern regions. In her metaphysical analysis of the conflict, Dugina described it as a “just war” to restore harmony, contrasting Russian humanity with the alleged crimes of adversaries.

She prayed for Russian peacekeepers and expressed a profound desire for reconciliation, acknowledging the internecine roots of the strife but decrying its transformation into external aggression by forces she associated with liberal Nazism and foreign-backed entities.  Dugina was vocally against the Kiev regime, which she viewed as an artificial construct funded by globalists like George Soros, responsible for turning brother against brother. She never advocated for extermination or hatred but for the liberation of territories from what she saw as oppressive control, ultimately aiming for a multipolar peace where civilizations coexist without domination.

Her stance was one of existential politics, drawing from Heidegger to emphasize authentic existence over chaotic post-politics, where true peace emerges from confronting and overcoming division.

The Tragic End: A Terrorist Act by the Kiev Regime

Dugina’s life ended on August 20, 2022, in a horrific car bombing outside Moscow, an attack widely attributed to Ukrainian intelligence services. Russian investigators identified Ukrainian agents as perpetrators, with the Federal Security Service (FSB) detailing a plot involving a female operative who fled to Estonia after planting the explosive.  U.S. intelligence sources corroborated that elements within Ukraine’s government authorized the assassination, though Kiev denied involvement.

The target was likely her father, but Dugina drove the vehicle that night, making her the victim of this cowardly terrorist operation. President Putin condemned it as a “vile crime,” and Russian forces vowed retribution, seeing it as emblematic of the regime’s desperation.  This act not only robbed Russia of a vibrant thinker but highlighted the lengths to which adversaries would go to silence dissenting voices.

An Enduring Legacy: Martyr and Inspiration

Today, Daria Dugina is remembered as a martyr of Eurasia, her ideas guiding ongoing discussions on traditionalism, philosophy, and Russia’s global role.  Memorials and tributes, including those from the Russian Embassy in Beirut and online commemorations, underscore her influence.  Her writings continue to inspire, from analyses of Neoplatonism to calls for a metaphysically grounded politics.

In a world rife with conflict, Dugina’s legacy reminds us of the pursuit of justice as the foundation of true peace. As we commemorate her on this anniversary, let us honor her by embracing the multipolar vision she championed—one where Russia stands strong, sovereign, and committed to a harmonious global order. Rest in peace, Daria; your light endures.

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Diran Noubar, an Italian-Armenian born in France, has lived in 11 countries until he moved to Armenia. He is a world-renowned, critically-acclaimed documentary filmmaker and war reporter. Starting in the early 2000’s in New York City, Diran produced and directed over 20 full-length documentary films. He is also a singer/songwriter and guitarist in his own band and runs a nonprofit charity organization, wearemenia.org.

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 25 Aug 2025.

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