Ukrainian authorities have detained two men, including a serving military intelligence officer, in connection with the killing of Anastasiia Berezovska. Berezovska was a primary suspect in the June 2026 bombing of businessman Vadym Yermolaiev in Monaco. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed the suspects are being held without bail as investigators work to determine the motive behind the attack and the subsequent slaying.
The Monaco Bombing and Interpol Investigation
The investigation centers on a June 29, 2026, explosion that targeted Vadym Yermolaiev, a property developer, in Monaco. The blast left Yermolaiev, his son, and a partner seriously wounded. According to authorities in Monaco, the incident involved the placement of an explosive device in a residential area, leading to charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy against Berezovska.
Yermolaiev, who holds Cypriot nationality and has not resided in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, has been subject to Ukrainian sanctions since 2023. Those sanctions were linked to his business operations in Russian-occupied Crimea. Monaco officials identified Berezovska as a key suspect, and Interpol issued a notice regarding her involvement shortly before her death.
Investigators successfully tracked the movements of the suspects by monitoring cryptocurrency transfers, a method increasingly used by law enforcement to trace illicit financial activity across borders.
Detention of Intelligence and Law Enforcement Personnel
A Kyiv court ordered two men to be held without bail. The suspects include a serving, decorated officer in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) and a former law enforcement official. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office stated that the two men are accused of killing Berezovska, whose body was discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.
The legal proceedings have been marked by shifting testimony. Initially, suspected intelligence officer Vladyslav Reut confessed to the killing and directed authorities to the burial site. However, during court proceedings, Reut retracted his confession. He alleged that his co-defendant, Vitalli Zhykovych, was the one who fired the fatal shots, claiming his earlier admission was made under duress and fear.
Cross-Border Cooperation and Future Legal Hurdles
The case has necessitated complex international coordination. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, announced on July 10, 2026, that he held consultations with his counterpart in Monaco. Kravchenko proposed the creation of a joint investigative group to synchronize efforts between the two nations.
“I have assured that Ukraine is open to full cooperation in accordance with international legal procedures,” Kravchenko stated via Telegram. The primary challenge for investigators remains establishing the motive. While Berezovska returned to Ukraine from Poland via bus shortly after the Monaco attack, the specific connections between the intelligence officer, the former law enforcement official, and the targeted businessman remain under active investigation.
When tracking international criminal investigations, monitor official Telegram channels of national prosecutor offices, as they often provide the most direct updates on cross-border legal cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Anastasiia Berezovska a target?
Berezovska was named by Interpol as a suspect in a bomb attack in Monaco. Her death occurred while she was under investigation for attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.
Who are the individuals currently in custody?
A Kyiv court has detained a serving officer from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) and a former law enforcement officer. They are being held without bail.
Is there a connection between the Monaco bombing and the war in Ukraine?
While the target, Vadym Yermolaiev, has been sanctioned by Ukraine for business ties to Russian-occupied Crimea, authorities have not yet confirmed a specific political or wartime motive for the attack.
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