Monaco bomb suspect breaks silence: 'Official mission' ordered by Ukraine's military…

A former Ukrainian security services officer, Vitalii Zhykovych, has alleged in an exclusive prison interview that a bomb attack in Monaco targeting multi-millionaire Vadym Yermolayev was an “official mission” ordered by senior members of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, HUR ^[1]. This marks the first time Zhykovych has spoken out about the attempted assassination that occurred in June.

Zhykovych, who describes himself as a “freelancer” for Ukraine's SBU security service, claims Anastasia Berezovska, the woman caught on camera planting the bomb, was his “agent” ^[1]. Berezovska's body was discovered a week after the bombing in woods west of Kyiv with gunshot wounds to the head. Zhykovych insists he neither sent her to kill nor killed her himself.

He was arrested and accused of Berezovska's murder alongside an active-duty HUR officer, Vladyslav Reut ^[1]. Reut initially confessed and led investigators to her shallow grave, but later changed his testimony in court, blaming Zhykovych. Zhykovych now alleges that Reut, whom he calls “The Boss,” proposed the Monaco operation against Yermolayev, and that, according to Zhykovych, it had been “authorised and approved by Reut's superiors” at HUR.

Zhykovych distanced himself from the explosion, claiming Reut asked to use Berezovska for the bombing. He says he refused, stating she wasn't fully trained, and Reut agreed she would only be used for reconnaissance ^[1]. Zhykovych further alleges that Reut then communicated directly with Berezovska and provided her with the explosives. HUR has previously stated it is “committed to a full investigation” and will provide “comprehenisive support” to law enforcement, but has not yet commented on these latest claims.

Vadym Yermolayev, who renounced his Ukrainian passport for Cypriot citizenship, his 13-year-old son, and his partner were badly injured in the blast ^[1]. Yermolayev previously stated he believed serving HUR officers, or individuals close to the agency's leadership, were linked to the attack and called for “the truth, protection, and justice.”

Zhykovych's theory for the attack is that Reut told him the bombing was in retaliation for Yermolayev “funding the annexation of Crimea,” specifically by paying taxes to Russia from businesses in Russian-occupied Crimea ^[1]. Yermolayev has repeatedly denied any remaining business interests linked to Russia. At a recent custody hearing, Zhykovych also stated that Reut had told him the attack was not “authorised,” adding that “someone had ordered this target from the civilian side.” The story was first reported by BBC News.