Vadim Ermolaev, a businessman injured in an explosion in Monaco, has accused Ukraine’s military intelligence service of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him and his family, according to reports from Kyiv. The Ukrainian oligarch made these allegations in a letter released by his legal representatives, which has been covered by the French daily Nice-Matin and Ukrainska Pravda.
In his letter, Ermolaev stated, “Based on the conclusions of the investigation communicated to us, we are convinced that active officers from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense are directly involved in this assassination attempt. The available evidence suggests that the operation involves not only the direct perpetrators and organizers but also officers from GUR, some of whom appear to be close to the current or former leadership of the service.”
Recognizing the seriousness of his allegations, Ermolaev expressed his decision to make them public, emphasizing the need for a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation. He remarked, “If serving intelligence officers use their official positions, resources, or networks to organize the murder of a family on European territory, this is no longer just a crime against my family; it is a matter of international security and trust in our institutions.”
Gratitude Towards Zelensky
Despite being under sanctions from his home country since December 2023, Ermolaev expressed his sincere gratitude to President Volodymyr Zelensky for his personal attention to this issue and the assistance already provided. He clarified that his statements are not directed against Ukraine or the Ukrainian people.
Ermolaev further mentioned his intention to cooperate with investigators to uncover the truth in this case. He urged authorities in Monaco, Ukraine, and France, as well as international institutions, to ensure the protection of his family, witnesses, lawyers, and all involved in the investigation until all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.
“Their goal was to kill all three of us, regardless of age or gender,” Ermolaev indicated, noting that he was accompanied by his wife and their 13-year-old son, all of whom were injured in the explosion.
Investigators’ Leads
In the investigation in Monaco, a Ukrainian woman residing in Germany, Anastasiia Berezovska, emerged as the main suspect, but she was found dead near Kyiv. Ukrainian investigators have detained two suspects in the case, including an active officer from Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence and a former officer from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
According to sources close to the investigation cited by Ukrainska Pravda, the two men have begun cooperating with investigators and provided detailed testimonies. One suspect stated that the initial objective of the operation was not to assassinate the businessman but to kidnap him, though the mission was altered along the way.
Investigators in Kyiv suspect that the two detainees killed the woman believed to be behind the assassination attempt to prevent her from testifying against those involved. Sources indicate that the GUR officer, specialized in explosives, sent the woman the components to assemble the homemade bomb.
