Top Prosecutors from Ukraine and Monaco Hold Key Talks
Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko met with his Monaco counterpart, Stéphane Thibault, to discuss two major criminal cases: an attempted attack on a Ukrainian family in Monaco and the murder of Ukrainian national Anastasia Berezovska. Also present were Oleksandr Poklad, First Deputy Head of the SBU, Ivan Vyhivskyi, Head of the National Police, and representatives from Monaco's prosecution, police, and judicial bodies. This high-level meeting underscores the growing need for cross-border cooperation in complex criminal investigations.
During the talks, the Ukrainian side detailed the progress of the Berezovska murder investigation and the arrest of suspects believed to be the perpetrators. Kravchenko stressed the importance of forming a joint international investigative team to ensure rapid information sharing, coordinated investigative actions, and effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and Monaco.
“I updated my colleagues on the progress of the Ukrainian investigation, the established circumstances of Anastasia Berezovska’s murder, and shared details of the detention of those the investigation considers to be the perpetrators of this crime,” said Ruslan Kravchenko.
Key Details of the Investigation
What is known about the explosion. The blast in a residential building in Monaco occurred on the evening of June 29, injuring three people, including sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his companion, and his son. Yermolaiev, founder of the Alef business group, is one of Dnipro’s largest real estate developers. In 2019, he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in favor of Cypriot nationality. In December 2023, the President of Ukraine imposed 10-year sanctions on him.
The murder of a suspect and suspicion of key figures. The main suspect in the murder case was identified as 39-year-old Ukrainian Anastasia Berezovska, who was placed on an Interpol international wanted list. On July 1, she legally entered Ukraine through a border checkpoint, with databases—including Interpol’s—failing to alert authorities. On July 6, Berezovska’s body was found buried near Kyiv. Investigators identified two individuals linked to the murder: 33-year-old GUR officer Vladyslav Reut and former SBU employee Vitaliy Zhykovych.
- According to the investigation, the men repeatedly transferred funds to Berezovska’s cryptocurrency and bank accounts.
- On July 9, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv ordered Zhykovych to be held in custody without bail, and the investigation has not ruled out the involvement of both men in the explosion itself.
- The SBU reported that the suspect maintained contact with both men immediately after returning to Ukraine.
This meeting between the prosecutors of Ukraine and Monaco highlights the critical role of international cooperation in investigating criminal cases, especially those with a transnational dimension. The murder of Anastasia Berezovska and the explosion in Monaco draw attention to the complex intersections of criminal activity, business interests, and international justice. Effective coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries may prove decisive in successfully solving these crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.
The recent discussions between Ukrainian and Monaco authorities highlight the urgency of addressing security threats faced by Ukrainian nationals abroad. This is particularly relevant in light of the recent explosion at a Ukrainian family's residence in Monaco, which injured several individuals and raised concerns about the safety of the expatriate community. Understanding the context of these incidents is crucial as investigations unfold.