Russian misogynist group founder denies role in European flight bomb threats

Vladislav Pozdnyakov, founder of the Russian “Men’s State” movement, has denied involvement in a wave of hoax bomb threats targeting flights in Europe. He says he has had no connection to the movement since 2019 and that it ceased to exist in 2021; the claims matter as authorities have yet to identify who sent the threats.

At least seven European flights received bomb warnings on 3 November, followed by similar messages targeting at least 12 passenger planes on 5 November. Italian news agency ANSA reported the threats were made in the name of “Men’s State fighters”. The movement, which promotes patriarchy, misogyny and homophobia, was banned by a Russian court and designated an extremist organisation.