The mystery surrounding the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Ukrainian national Anastasia Berezhovska — accused of planting a bomb targeting Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Germolayev in Monaco — continues to deepen. Berezhovska, who was wanted internationally for the bombing, was found dead and buried near Kyiv just days after her identity became public and an arrest warrant was issued against her.
Confession Withdrawn, Blame Shifted
Vladyslav Reut, a Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) officer, initially confessed to killing Berezhovska. But during a court hearing on Thursday, 9 July 2026, he retracted that statement, claiming he did not pull the trigger. Instead, he pointed to his co-accused, Vitaliy Zhykovych — formerly employed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) — as the one responsible.
Timeline and Evidence
According to prosecutors, Berezhovska entered Ukraine two days after the Monaco bombing — before she had even been publicly identified as the main suspect. She crossed the border from Poland by bus. Investigators used data from her mobile phone to quickly identify Reut and Zhykovych as suspects. They also traced cash and cryptocurrency transfers made by both men into Berezhovska’s accounts.
A Crime with Four Bullets
Berezhovska was killed by four gunshots. Her death comes amid unresolved questions about the motive behind the Monaco attack. Germolayev — a businessman who built his fortune in cognac trading and real estate — had renounced Ukrainian citizenship years earlier. He later faced sanctions from Kyiv for continuing business operations in Crimea following Russia’s annexation of the region.
Both Reut and Zhykovych appeared in court in handcuffs, escorted by heavily armed, masked police officers for separate hearings. During proceedings, prosecutors reiterated key facts: Berezhovska arrived in Ukraine before being named a suspect, and investigators moved swiftly to link the two men to her through digital and financial evidence.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday evening that “additional relevant updates” would be shared in the coming days — though no further details were provided.