Zelenskyy Breaks Silence on Monaco Assassination Attempt Against Businessman

Presidential Response

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly addressed for the first time the assassination attempt on businessman Vadym Yermolayev in Monaco, as well as the subsequent murder investigation of a female suspect. The head of state spoke to journalists on Thursday, July 9, pledging to release further details about the incident in the coming days.

“In the next few days, I will have additional relevant reports and, of course, inform the public,” Zelenskyy stated.

Details of the Explosion

An explosion rocked a residential building in Monaco on the evening of June 29. Three individuals were injured: the sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolayev, his companion, and his son. Yermolayev, 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, a presidential decree imposed ten-year sanctions on Yermolayev.

Murder of the Suspect and New Leads

Authorities identified the primary suspect in the case as 39-year-old Ukrainian Anastasia Berezovska, who was placed on an Interpol wanted list. Berezovska legally entered Ukraine through a border checkpoint on July 1. Her body was discovered near Kyiv on July 6. Investigators have identified two men linked to her murder: Vladyslav Reut, a 33-year-old employee of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and former SBU officer Vitaliy Zhykovych. On July 9, the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv ordered Zhykovych’s pre-trial detention without bail. Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of both men in the original explosion.

This incident has sparked widespread attention both in Ukraine and internationally, as it involves a prominent businessman with significant influence in the construction sector. Following the sanctions imposed on Yermolayev and his alleged involvement, the situation could carry serious implications for Ukraine’s international relations and the reputation of Ukrainian business abroad. Local and international experts are closely monitoring the investigation and subsequent actions by Ukrainian law enforcement.

As the investigation unfolds, new developments continue to emerge surrounding the assassination attempt on Vadym Yermolayev. Just recently, the body of the main suspect was discovered with gunshot wounds, raising further questions about the motives behind this attack. To understand the implications of this shocking turn of events, you can read more about the details of the suspect's death in this related article.