World

Monaco Bomb Attack: Ukrainian Businessman Iermolaiev Blames Kyiv's Military Intelligence

Herz — World Desk · 16 July 2026 at 15:33 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

A bomb exploded outside the Monaco home of Ukrainian businessman Vadym Iermolaiev, seriously injuring his partner, their 13-year-old son, and Iermolaiev himself. The suspect identified by French investigators, Anastasiia Berezovska, was found dead near Kyiv shortly after. Two men, including a GUR (Ukrainian military intelligence) officer, were arrested for her murder. Iermolaiev accuses GUR officials of ordering the attack; the Ukrainian prosecutor's office disputes this version.

Explosion in Monaco: Iermolaiev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son suffered serious injuries
Ukrainian suspect Berezovska found dead near Kyiv following the attack
Ukrainian GUR officer arrested for the suspect's murder
Iermolaiev accuses military intelligence leadership of ordering the bombing
Ukrainian prosecutor's office denies GUR leadership involvement

Attentat à Monaco : l'homme d'affaires ukrainien Iermolaiev accuse le renseignement militaire de Kyiv — Tobi 87, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

What We Know

An explosive device detonated outside the home of Vadym Iermolaiev, a Ukrainian businessman, in the principality of Monaco. According to The Guardian, the blast was powerful enough to tear off steel railings and destroy the stone steps at the entrance.

His partner Anna suffered injuries described as "catastrophic and irreversible." Their 13-year-old son sustained burns, fractures, and other serious injuries. Iermolaiev himself was hospitalized in intensive care.

French investigators identified Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national, as the suspect who placed the bomb. Monaco delegates certain criminal police powers to France; procedures are conducted under French law.

The Suspect's Death and Arrests

In the days following the attack, Berezovska was found dead near Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities arrested two men for her murder: Vladyslav Reut and Oleksandr Zhykovych. Reut is a GUR officer—the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Defence Ministry, the country's primary military intelligence service. Zhykovych is a former law enforcement officer.

During a court hearing on the Thursday before July 16, 2026, before a Kyiv tribunal, Reut blamed Zhykovych for the murder. The prosecutor alleges that the two men forced Berezovska into a car at gunpoint. They then allegedly killed her in a forest near the village of Yuriv, approximately 60 km west of Kyiv.

Who Is Vadym Iermolaiev?

In 2023, Ukraine imposed personal sanctions on Iermolaiev, whose fortune was valued at $220 million by Forbes. Kyiv accused him of continuing to trade in alcohol in Russian-occupied Crimea and of paying millions of dollars in taxes to the Russian Treasury.

Military Intelligence Involvement Disputed

Through his lawyers, Iermolaiev maintains that the conspiracy involves active and former GUR officers close to the agency's current and past leadership.

The Ukrainian prosecutor's office disputes this account. It presents Reut as an isolated operative who concealed his contacts with Berezovska and acted without the GUR leadership's approval.

Timeline

2023
Ukraine imposes personal sanctions on Iermolaiev (fortune valued at $220 million by Forbes), accusing him of continuing to trade in alcohol in Russian-occupied Crimea and paying taxes to the Russian Treasury.
An explosive device detonates outside Iermolaiev's Monaco home. His partner is seriously injured, their 13-year-old son suffers burns and fractures, and Iermolaiev is hospitalized in intensive care.