Monaco Bomb Suspect Found Dead in Ukraine, Investigation Intensifies

Kyiv, Ukraine – Anastasiia Berezovska, the 39-year-old Ukrainian national and primary suspect in a recent high-profile bomb attack in Monaco, was found dead near Kyiv on July 6, 2026, according to Ukrainian law enforcement officials. Her death, confirmed to be by gunshot, adds a dramatic and complex layer to the ongoing international investigation into the explosive device that critically injured a Ukrainian businessman and his family. The discovery has prompted further arrests in Ukraine and raised significant questions about the motivations and potential orchestrators behind both the Monaco incident and Berezovska’s demise.

The body of Berezovska was discovered at approximately 11:00 PM local time on Monday, July 6, in an undisclosed location near the Ukrainian capital. Law enforcement sources, citing a preliminary examination, indicated she had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators reportedly recovered spent pistol casings at the scene, offering initial clues into the circumstances of her death. This development follows a frantic international manhunt for Berezovska, who had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice seeking her arrest on charges including attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.

The Monaco Attack: A Principality Shaken

The incident that propelled Berezovska into international notoriety occurred on June 29, 2026, at around 9:00 PM in the principality of Monaco. An explosive device detonated in the entrance hall of an apartment building, injuring three individuals. The victims were identified as Vadym Yermolaiev, a prominent Ukrainian businessman, his partner Hanna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son.

The attack sent shockwaves through the normally tranquil and affluent city-state. Monaco authorities swiftly launched an investigation, ruling out terrorism as a motive early on. Surveillance footage reportedly captured a person, later identified as Berezovska, planting the device and then remotely detonating it as the victims arrived. Prosecutors in Monaco indicated that Berezovska, who was allegedly disguised as a man during the act, fled the principality on foot into neighboring France before traveling by car through several European countries, eventually reaching Germany.

Arrests and Allegations in Kyiv

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) announced Tuesday that an active officer from Ukraine's military intelligence agency had confessed to Berezovska's killing. This officer reportedly acted with the assistance of a former law enforcement official. Both men have been detained on suspicion of premeditated murder. According to the SBU, the military intelligence officer claimed to have acted on his own initiative, without informing his superiors.

The SBU's investigation into Berezovska's death was reportedly prompted by discoveries that the two detained men had repeatedly transferred cryptocurrency and money through bank accounts to her. During searches, authorities also uncovered a chilling detail: a basement resembling a "torture chamber" at the former law enforcement officer's residence. The SBU stated that Berezovska’s body was found during a reconstruction of the crime based on one of the suspects’ testimonies, providing a crucial breakthrough in understanding her final moments.

Vadym Yermolaiev: A Target with a Complex Past

The target of the Monaco attack, Vadym Yermolaiev, is a significant figure in Ukrainian business circles. The Dnipro-born entrepreneur founded the Alef industrial and commercial group and has been a major property developer in the city. He previously appeared on Forbes Ukraine's list of the country's wealthiest individuals. In 2019, Yermolaiev renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in favor of Cypriot citizenship. He had also been featured in Ukrainska Pravda's "Monaco Battalion" investigation, which highlighted Ukrainian businessmen, politicians, and oligarchs who settled on the French Riviera after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The severity of the attack on Yermolaiev and his family was profound. While Yermolaiev was initially in a coma, his condition has since improved, and he has regained consciousness. His son's injuries were not life-threatening. However, Hanna Nasobina suffered critical injuries, leading to the amputation of both her legs, and her condition remains severe, with concerns about potential long-term sensory damage.

International Ramifications and Unanswered Questions

The death of Anastasiia Berezovska in Ukraine introduces considerable complexity to the ongoing international investigation. Monaco authorities have been examining a possible link between the June 29 bombing and the Security Service of Ukraine, though no definitive connections have been established. The SBU has confirmed it is sharing all available information with Monaco’s investigators and is continuing its efforts to identify those who ordered and organized the attempted killing in Monaco.

While Berezovska was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, the international policing organization has indicated that the notice will remain active until Monaco formally requests its removal, pending further developments in the investigation. The swift identification and death of the primary suspect, followed by the arrests of two Ukrainian law enforcement-linked individuals, point to a rapidly evolving and deeply intertwined narrative involving elements of international crime, national security, and potentially, internal conflicts within Ukraine. The true motivations behind both the bombing in Monaco and Berezovska’s murder remain subjects of intense scrutiny as authorities on both sides work to piece together the full scope of this intricate and disturbing case.