Anastasia Berezhovska—the 39-year-old woman wanted internationally for planting a bomb in Monaco targeting Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Hrymolayev—was found dead and buried near Kyiv just days after her identity was revealed and an international arrest warrant issued. She was killed with a single gunshot to the head.
A Case That Deepens Into Espionage Thriller Territory
What began as a high-profile bombing in the Principality of Monaco has rapidly evolved into a complex, multi-layered investigation with hallmarks of a spy thriller. Within hours of locating Berezhovska’s body, Ukrainian authorities arrested two men: one serving in the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, and the other a former police officer.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the GUR officer confessed to killing Berezhovska alongside his co-accused—but claimed he acted independently, without orders or knowledge from his agency. Both men now face charges of premeditated murder. Investigators continue probing who ordered not only Berezhovska’s killing but also the Monaco attack itself.
Authorities identified the suspects after detecting repeated money and cryptocurrency transfers to Berezhovska. One suspect’s testimony led investigators to reconstruct key events—including the location where her body was buried. At the former officer’s home, Ukrainian media reported authorities discovered a basement that appeared to have been converted into a torture chamber, complete with bloodstains and tools under forensic examination, including axes and hammers. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that Berezhovska was tortured before her execution.
The Monaco Bombing and the Mystery Around Its Target
The explosion occurred at the entrance of an apartment building in Monaco and targeted Vadym Hrymolayev—a Ukrainian businessman who built his fortune through the Alef Group. Kyiv has accused him of maintaining ties with Russia.
Hrymolayev was injured in the blast; his partner lost both legs; and their 13-year-old son—who was with them—also sustained injuries. Monaco prosecutors believe the attack involved more than one person, citing the sophistication of the remotely detonated explosive device. To date, however, no official has named a suspected mastermind—or clarified the precise motive.
Publicly released surveillance footage shows Berezhovska entering a store in the French border town of Beausoleil—just hours before the explosion. The clip appears to capture her last known purchase before the attack.