My questions are not to catch you out Anna and only to explore , I have difficulty understanding the timeline of reported events. We can read a lot into those statements but I will raise a couple of points if that's ok.
It looks like the KGB come to investigate after they are aware that the Dyatlov group didn't return and not a moment before. I don't know if it was common practice in USSR by the KGB to investigate such concerns but it seems there is a certain amount of paranoia with students and governing bodies. ( Students always like to challenge political ideas, even in the west, seems a right of passage) .
There might be some truth in these statements but in a different context.If the KGB thought that the Dyatlov group( or any other groups) were against the political system and were perhaps thinking of leaving the country or had important information for the west, then fast action would need to be taken. The KGB might have worked in the interest to catch them" if "they had gone to another country.
The KGB 's ass would be on the line if they missed potential spies and they made their escape , hence , perhaps explaining their involvement and questioning ?. They would not want to look stupid.
So ,before the tent and bodies were found , rightly or wrongly, the KGB explored the fact that the Dyatlov group may have tried to leave the USSR. This was not the case as we know and it's here that everyone is upset and angry at these accusations and defends the DP9. It is ultimately an insult to the students and families.
My interpretation is as soon as students are reported missing , the KGB came in heavy handed , looking for spies . This is their job . In parallel there was a search and rescue effort being organised by other governing departments ,students,Mansi and military.
This may explain the sarcastic comment by one of the lead investigators when he refers to them escaping half naked to the Norwegian border. ( I've forgotten the name and quote) . He's responding to the stupidity and paranoia of the accusations by the KGB.
Again, to me, it looks like everyone gets confused at the time of the incident and speculates . If we assume that there is zero conspiracy or planning of anyone's deaths and that there never was , then the fact is , everyone is going about their daily lives as normal, shopping, being a student, various tourists going on different hikes, sweeping snow off the roads , Mansi hearing dear and everyone drinking vodka .
If the KGB were involved in the murder, I doubt we would be reading about their involvement in any capacity.