Ukrainian authorities have recovered deleted surveillance footage capturing a targeted bombing against Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaev in Monaco. According to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, the recovered video serves as a critical link in the investigation, showing the perpetrator—identified as 39-year-old Ukrainian national Anastasia Berezovska—planting the device at the entrance of the residence on June 29.
Evidence Recovery and the Monaco Attack
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) successfully restored digital evidence that suspects had attempted to destroy. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage was recorded by a camera installed by the perpetrators specifically to confirm the execution of the attack. The blast occurred at 8:58 p.m. local time as Yermolaev, his wife, and their 13-year-old son were entering their apartment building near the French border.
The recovered footage shows Berezovska, dressed in men’s clothing, entering the building, remaining inside briefly, and then exiting. Moments later, the family arrives, and the device detonates. Berezovska is seen holding a phone to her ear at the time of the explosion. The impact left the 58-year-old businessman and his wife in critical condition; reports confirm his wife suffered the amputation of both legs. The couple’s son sustained injuries described as serious but less life-threatening.
Did you know?
The suspect, Anastasia Berezovska, was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice. On July 7, she was found dead on the outskirts of Kyiv, adding a complex layer to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Profile of Vadym Yermolaev
Vadym Yermolaev has been a resident of Monaco since at least 2021. Before the incident, he was a prominent figure in the Ukrainian construction sector, having built his career in the industrial hub of Dnipro. According to Forbes Ukraine, his net worth was estimated at $220 million in 2021, ranking him as the 45th wealthiest person in the country.
His business activities have faced significant scrutiny in recent years. In December 2023, the Ukrainian government placed Yermolaev under official sanctions, citing his commercial operations within Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Implications
Prosecutor General Kravchenko has confirmed that the SBU is working to map out the roles of all individuals involved in the plot. Authorities have emphasized that they intend to hold all participants accountable, ensuring that no evidence is overlooked during the probe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the victims?
Vadym Yermolaev and his wife remain in critical condition following the June 29 attack. Their 13-year-old son also sustained serious injuries in the blast.
Who was the primary suspect in the bombing?
Anastasia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, was the primary suspect identified by authorities. She was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and was discovered dead near Kyiv on July 7.
Why was Vadym Yermolaev sanctioned?
The Ukrainian government imposed sanctions on Yermolaev in December 2023 due to his business dealings in Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014.
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