Russian misogynist group founder denies role in European flight bomb threats

Vladislav Pozdnyakov, founder of the “Men’s State” movement, has denied involvement in bomb threats against flights in Europe in a post on his “Pozdnyakov 3.0” channel.

He said he has had no connection to “Men’s State” since 2019 and that the movement “has not existed” since 2021.

“Whoever is stirring up trouble in EU countries today under this ‘brand’ is acting in their own interests, just flying someone else’s flag. Not that I’m particularly concerned about Europe, its security, or its economy (in fact, I don’t give a damn about it). I’m just responding publicly here to the European journalists who asked,” he wrote.

The BBC Russian Service asked “Vlad,” a Telegram account that may belong to Pozdnyakov, about the movement’s possible involvement in the threats. The account is listed in the description of the “Pozdnyakov 3.0” channel. In response, “Vlad” wrote that “Men’s State” “has not existed for many years.” The channel soon posted the BBC correspondent’s exchange with “Vlad.”

A wave of hoax bomb threats has targeted European flights in recent days. On November 3, at least seven European flights were the subject of warnings that bombs had supposedly been planted on board. On November 5, at least 12 passenger planes were targeted by similar messages. The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the hoax threats were sent on behalf of “Men’s State fighters.”

European authorities have not yet said who they believe was involved in sending the hoax bomb threats.