Ukrainian Woman Linked to Monaco Bombing Found Dead in Kyiv; Intelligence Officer Detained

(CNA, Kyiv, July 7) -- A 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, suspected of orchestrating a bombing in Monaco with the intent to kill a Ukrainian-born tycoon worth approximately $225 million, was found dead yesterday in Kyiv with gunshot wounds. Ukrainian law enforcement has detained a current defense intelligence officer and another man on suspicion of murder, and the case is under investigation.

According to sources within law enforcement cited by Ukrainian media outlet "Ukrainska Pravda," Anastasiia Berezovska's body was discovered around 11 p.m. local time on July 6 in Kyiv, bearing gunshot wounds. Sources indicated that she had traveled abroad between March 22, 2025, and July 1, 2026, with her travel dates coinciding with the bombing that occurred in Monaco on the 29th of last month.

Ukrainian media outlet UNN reported that after returning to Ukraine, Berezovska had contact with her son and two men, including a serving officer from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense and a former law enforcement officer.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office issued a statement saying that current information indicates the two men had repeatedly transferred funds to the deceased's cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. Prosecutors have detained both individuals on suspicion of murder and are continuing their investigation, having provided relevant information to the Monaco judicial investigation authorities.

Berezovska is suspected of disguising herself as a man and placing a package containing an explosive device in the entrance hall of an apartment building in Monaco on June 29 of this year, attempting to kill 58-year-old Ukrainian tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and his 13-year-old son. Reportedly, Yermolaiev's partner was seriously injured in the explosion.

Monaco prosecutors stated at the time that Berezovska fled to France after the incident, then traveled through Italy, Germany, and other locations. Interpol subsequently issued a Red Notice, seeking her arrest on charges of attempted murder and intent to endanger public safety using explosive devices.

Yermolaiev, originally from Dnipro, Ukraine, is estimated to be worth approximately $225 million (about NT$7.2 billion). He is primarily involved in large-scale real estate development and has investments in agriculture and alcohol production. He renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2018 and later obtained Cypriot citizenship.

In 2022, "Ukrainska Pravda" reported that Yermolaiev was living a luxurious life abroad during the Russo-Ukrainian War. In 2023, he was accused by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of continuing to do business in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and paying substantial taxes to Russia. Subsequently, the Ukrainian government froze his assets and placed him on a sanctions list. (Editor: Tian Rui-hua) 1150707

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