By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
Suspect in Yermolaev Attack Killed Near Kyiv
Ukrainian authorities have found the body of Anastasiia Berezovska, the woman identified by Interpol as the main suspect in a bomb attack on Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev in Monaco.
Ukraine’s Security Service confirmed the discovery of her body near Kyiv.
According to Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda, Ukraine’s Security Service said it found the body of Ukrainian national Anastasiia Berezovska, who had been wanted by authorities in Monaco in connection with the bombing Suspect targeting Yermolaiev. She was reportedly shot dead.
Background: The Monaco Bombing
On June 29, an explosion struck a residential building in central Monaco, injuring three Ukrainian citizens a man, a woman, and a 13-year-old boy, reported to be members of the same family.
One of the injured was sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolaev, according to French and Ukrainian media.
Interpol subsequently placed Berezovska on its international wanted list, accused of planting the explosive device that severely injured Yermolaiev, his partner, and his son. Yermolaiev had been sanctioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
Two Detained Over Berezovska’s Killing
Ukrainian investigators have detained two men in connection with Berezovska’s death. One is a former law enforcement officer, the other a current member of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), according to Ukraine’s National Police, the Security Service, and the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Investigators said Berezovska returned to Ukraine on July 1 and stayed in contact with the two men, both of whom had repeatedly transferred funds to her bank and cryptocurrency accounts.
This has led authorities to examine whether the two had links to the original Monaco bombing as well.
Her body was found with signs suggesting she was shot, and authorities are treating the case as a suspected killing linked to the earlier attack.
Intelligence Link Raises Questions
The involvement of a serving HUR officer has fuelled speculation about official Ukrainian involvement in both the bombing and the killing. Authorities claim the HUR officer acted independently and did not report his payments to Berezovska to his superiors.
French media have separately reported that Monaco investigators suspect Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) could have been involved in the original bombing, though the SBU has been identified as a partner in the current investigation into Berezovska’s death, alongside the HUR.
What Remains Unconfirmed
No Ukrainian state agency has been formally accused of ordering either the Monaco bombing Suspect or Berezovska’s killing.
The two detained men face scrutiny over their financial links to Berezovska, but authorities have not announced formal charges related to the original attack.
Full timeline of the Monaco bombing attack
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