Vadym Iermolaiev, the Ukrainian businessman who survived an assassination attempt in Monaco, has accused Ukraine's military intelligence agency (GUR) of organizing the attack. In his first public statement since the bombing, Iermolaiev alleged that serving and former GUR officers were directly involved, rejecting claims that the perpetrators acted without agency authorization.
Details of the Attack
The bomb detonated as Iermolaiev emerged from a building with his partner Anna and their 13-year-old son. The explosion was powerful enough to tear apart steel railings and destroy stone steps outside their home. Iermolaiev stated, "This was not a warning. It was an attempt to kill not only me, but my family as well." He remains in intensive care, while Anna sustained "catastrophic and irreversible injuries" and their son suffered burns and fractures.
Suspects and Investigation
French investigators identified the suspected bomber as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national accused of planting the explosive device. Days after the attack, Berezovska was found dead near Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities arrested two suspects: Vladyslav Reut, a GUR officer, and Oleksandr Zhykovych, a former law enforcement officer. Reut claimed Zhykovych was responsible for Berezovska's murder, with prosecutors alleging the pair forced her into a car and killed her in a forest near Yuriv.
Iermolaiev's Allegations
Iermolaiev rejected the Ukrainian prosecutors' portrayal of the case as a rogue officer's actions. His statement said, "According to the evidence currently available, the conspiracy extended beyond the direct perpetrators and organisers to include serving GUR officers connected to them, including individuals close to the agency's current and former leadership." He emphasized that the attack was an assassination attempt on him and his family.
Political Implications
The case embarrasses President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and risks straining relations with European partners if allegations of GUR involvement gain credibility. The incident occurs as Zelenskyy faces scrutiny over dismissing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The motive remains unclear; in 2023, Ukraine sanctioned Iermolaiev, a billionaire with a $220 million fortune, for trading alcohol in Russian-occupied Crimea and paying taxes to Russia. Another theory links the bombing to organized crime, involving Iermolaiev's son Artur, accused of creating a criminal organization for telephone fraud in Dnipro.
