Ex-Ukrainian Officer Claims Kyiv Authorized Oligarch Assassination Plot

A former Ukrainian security officer, charged with murdering the operative who attempted to assassinate a Russia-linked oligarch in Monaco, has asserted that the plot was authorized by Kyiv. Vitalii Zhykovych, currently held in a Ukrainian prison, stated that Vladyslav Reut, a former intelligence officer, proposed the operation to kill Vadym Yermolaiev, an oligarch sanctioned by Ukraine.

According to the BBC, Zhykovych claimed Reut informed him that the operation had been approved by his superiors within the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Zhykovych also suggested that intelligence officers with ties to current and former leadership of the agency were involved, though he provided no further evidence.

These claims differ from Zhykovych's statements during a court hearing weeks after the assassination attempt, where he suggested the target came from the civilian side, seemingly downplaying official government involvement. Ukraine's intelligence agency, HUR, has stated it is committed to a full investigation but declined to comment directly on Zhykovych's assertions.

The incident occurred on June 29 when Anastasia Berezovska, whom Zhykovych described as his agent, planted a parcel bomb outside Yermolaiev's apartment. Yermolaiev, his partner Anna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son were injured in the explosion. Berezovska, who reportedly disguised herself as a man, later told Zhykovych she planted the explosive in exchange for a substantial sum from Reut, stating, "$50,000 doesn’t just lie on the streets."

The motive for the attack remains unclear, although Yermolaiev has been sanctioned by Kyiv due to his business activities in Russia-occupied Crimea. Zhykovych indicated that Reut claimed the bombing was retaliation for Yermolaiev's alleged funding of Crimea's annexation.

Berezovska was found shot dead in Kyiv on July 7, a week after the Monaco bombing. She had faced charges including attempted murder and placing an explosive device with criminal intent. An Interpol red notice had been issued for her arrest. Prosecutors stated she returned to Ukraine on July 3 for personal reasons and was intercepted by two men near a motorway, one of whom was Zhykovych. Zhykovych reportedly loaded the weapon used to kill Berezovska, and while he distracted her, Reut allegedly shot her in the back of the head. Her body was buried in woodland, and the weapon was discarded in water.

Reports suggest Reut admitted to sending explosive components to Berezovska while she was in Germany. However, Zhykovych contended that Berezovska lacked the specialized training to construct the explosive device herself.