Former Ukrainian officer says HUR directed Monaco bombing of businessman, names colleague
A former Ukrainian security officer, Vitalii Zhykovych, said from a Kyiv prison that senior HUR officials ordered the June bomb attack in Monaco targeting businessman Vadym Yermolayev.
Vitalii Zhykovych, a former Ukrainian security officer, spoke from a Kyiv detention centre, claiming that the bomb attack in Monaco was an authorized mission by senior members of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). He said the operation was planned by HUR officer Vladyslav Reut, who also provided explosives to Anastasia Berezovska, the woman captured on CCTV planting the device. Zhykovych, describing himself as a freelance SBU operative, refused to involve Berezovska directly and was later arrested for her murder alongside Reut.
The blast injured Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolayev, his 13-year-old son and left his partner with catastrophic injuries. Berezovska’s body was discovered with gunshot wounds in a Kyiv forest, and both suspects have contested each other's role in her killing. HUR has pledged a full investigation, while the SBU referred to Zhykovych only as a former law-enforcement officer.
Why it matters
The allegations suggest possible state involvement in an international assassination attempt, raising concerns about intelligence agency oversight.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTCenter coverage neutrally reports the former officer’s claim that senior HUR members directed the Monaco bombing, while right-leaning coverage frames the claim as the Kyiv regime approving a plot against a Russia-linked oligarch.
CENTER
Presents the allegation that senior HUR officials planned and supplied the bomb, naming Vladyslav Reut and Anastasia Berezovska, without attributing broader political motives.
RIGHT
Frames the allegation as a Kyiv-regime-approved bomb plot targeting a Russia-linked oligarch, highlighting alleged payment and the regime’s responsibility.
The right emphasises
- the Kyiv regime gave the green light to the bomb plot
- the target was a Russia-linked oligarch
- Berezovska was allegedly motivated by a promised $50,000
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