Suspect in Bomb Attack on Pro-Russian Ukrainian Tycoon Found Dead, Stalling Investigation

A key suspect in a bomb attack targeting a pro-Russian Ukrainian tycoon living in the Principality of Monaco has been found dead near Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated on July 7 (local time) that the body of Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national wanted by Monaco authorities, had been discovered, according to the Associated Press.

According to the statement, Berezovska had a gunshot wound to the head, and investigators recovered a pistol casing at the scene.

Earlier, the local media outlet Ukrainska Pravda also reported, citing judicial sources, that Berezovska’s body was found buried near Kyiv at approximately 11:00 p.m. the previous night.

The SBU announced that it had arrested an active-duty officer from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR) and a former law enforcement official on charges of murdering Berezovska.

According to the SBU, the intelligence officer confessed to the murder of Berezovska during the investigation but claimed to have acted independently without informing his superiors.

The SBU stated that it focused its investigation on the two individuals after discovering that they had repeatedly transferred cryptocurrency and cash to Berezovska through bank accounts.

The agency also explained that during a search, they discovered a basement resembling a torture chamber at the home of the former law enforcement official.

Based on their statements, investigators verified the crime scene and subsequently discovered Berezovska's body.

The SBU stated that it has shared all information obtained during the investigation with Monaco's investigative authorities and is continuing to identify the mastermind behind the bomb attack that occurred in the principality.

The deceased, Berezovska, had been pursued by Monaco investigative authorities and Interpol for the attempted murder of the family of Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian oligarch residing in Monaco.

Berezovska was accused of planting an improvised explosive device on the first floor of Yermolaiev's residence on June 29, causing serious injuries to the victims.

Yermolaiev is a millionaire living in Monaco who reportedly became subject to sanctions by the Ukrainian government in December 2023 for conducting alcohol-related business in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Because of this, speculation has been raised that Ukrainian authorities may have been involved in the bomb attack.

The fact that an intelligence officer from the Ministry of Defense murdered Berezovska could also be interpreted as an attempt to prevent an investigation into the mastermind.

With the death of the key suspect in the actual bomb attack, it has become difficult to uncover who ultimately ordered Berezovska to commit the crime.

As the intelligence officer who confessed to murdering Berezovska claims to have acted alone, it appears increasingly likely that the investigation will conclude at that level.

(Photo: Provided by Interpol, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.