Suspected Assassin's Body Found Near Kyiv Linked to Monaco Attempt on Ukrainian Businessman

The body of Anastasia Berzovskaya, suspected in the assassination attempt on Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolaev in Monaco, was discovered near Kyiv late Sunday night, according to Ukrainian law enforcement sources cited by Ukrainska Pravda. Berzovskaya was found buried and reportedly shot to death. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder: an active officer from Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and a former law enforcement official. Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive or confirmed if the killing is directly related to the Monaco assassination attempt.

Vadim Yermolaev, a prominent businessman from Dnipro and founder of the industrial and real estate group ALF, was targeted in a bombing on June 29 in Monaco. The explosion injured three people, including Yermolaev and two associates, with two sustaining serious injuries. Following the attack, Monaco authorities launched an extensive manhunt. Security footage reportedly captured a suspect placing the bomb before fleeing to France. Monaco prosecutors have ruled out terrorism, investigating the incident as attempted murder and illegal placement of an explosive device in a public area.

Yermolaev, once among Ukraine's wealthiest and regularly listed in Forbes Ukraine's top 100, renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019 and acquired Cypriot nationality. He was also featured in an investigative report by Ukrainska Pravda about Ukrainian oligarchs and politicians relocating to the French Riviera after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian investigators are also exploring possible links between the case and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Berzovskaya had been outside Ukraine from March 22 to July 1, shortly before her death was discovered.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to clarify the connections between the assassination attempt in Monaco and Berzovskaya's murder near Kyiv.