Monaco Bombing Suspect Found Murdered in Ukraine; Intelligence Links Probed

A major international scandal is unfolding in Kyiv following the murder of Anastasia Berezovska, the prime suspect in a Monaco rucksack bombing. Berezovska was accused of targeting Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Iermolaiev in a blast that injured him and his family last month.

French police identified the 39-year-old through CCTV footage. After the attack, she fled through Europe, eventually returning to Ukraine on July 1. Her body was discovered earlier this week in a forest near the capital, shot four times.

The case has taken a murky turn as Ukrainian authorities linked the killing to their own security circles. Two men are in custody: Vladyslav Reut, a military intelligence (GUR) officer, and Vitaliy Zhykovych, a former policeman. In court, Reut claimed Zhykovych shot Berezovska in "cold blood" while he watched.

The motive remains unclear. While some investigators suggest a dispute over "protection money," the involvement of active intelligence personnel has caused significant political embarrassment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the matter, promising the public a full report once further details emerge.

The incident highlights growing concerns regarding the conduct of Ukraine’s rival security agencies and the potential damage to the nation's international reputation.