Anastasiia Berezovska suspect in Monaco bombing found dead near Kyiv

The woman identified by international authorities as the prime suspect in the June 29, 2026, bombing of a residential building in Monaco has been found dead near Kyiv. Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian national, was discovered with fatal gunshot wounds to the head on July 6, 2026. The discovery of her body followed an intensive, days-long international manhunt that stretched across several European borders.

Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, confirmed on July 7, 2026, that it had detained two men in connection with the killing. One suspect is a current officer serving in the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, while the other is a former law enforcement officer. According to the SBU, the intelligence officer admitted to the shooting, claiming he acted on his own initiative without notifying his military superiors. Both detainees were also under investigation for their alleged role in the Monaco bombing itself, as authorities identified repeated transfers of money and cryptocurrency from the two men to Berezovska’s accounts in the days surrounding the incident. During a subsequent search of the former law enforcement officer’s property, investigators discovered a basement room containing tools and equipment described by officials as resembling a torture chamber.

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The events originated from an explosion at an apartment building on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla in Monaco. The blast, which occurred at approximately 9 p.m. Local time on June 29, 2026, was triggered remotely as the victims approached the lobby. While Monaco officials have not released the official names of those targeted, multiple reports identify them as the Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their teenage son. The blast left the businessman and his partner with serious injuries. The teenage son sustained injuries described as relatively minor.

Interpol had previously issued a Red Notice for Berezovska, accusing her of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and the illegal placement of an explosive device. Investigators believe the suspect disguised herself as a man, loitered near the residence to monitor the targets, and fled on foot toward the French border after the detonation. She allegedly continued her escape by car, traveling through Italy and arriving in Germany before eventually returning to Ukraine on July 1, 2026.

The motive behind the Monaco attack remains a central point of investigation. Yermolaiev faced government sanctions in 2023 following allegations that his business interests in Crimea remained connected to Russian entities. Yermolaiev has consistently denied these claims.

The involvement of a serving GUR officer in the death of the primary suspect has introduced significant diplomatic and security complexities for Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities have emphasized that they are sharing all gathered intelligence with their counterparts in Monaco and are continuing to work toward identifying any additional parties who may have ordered or facilitated the initial bombing. The investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and the wider Monaco case remains active, with the SBU coordinating closely with international partners.

Chronology of Key Events

• June 29, 2026: A parcel bomb explodes at an apartment building in Monaco, seriously injuring three people.
• July 1, 2026: Berezovska arrives in Ukraine after traveling through Italy and Germany.
• July 6, 2026: Berezovska is found dead near Kyiv with gunshot wounds.
• July 7, 2026: Ukrainian authorities announce the detention of two suspects, including a serving military intelligence officer.