Ukrainian businessman Vadym Iermolaiev accuses GUR military intelligence of Monaco bombing that critically wounded his partner and son

The attack

On the evening of 29 June, a package bomb detonated at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco as Vadym Iermolaiev, his partner Anna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son were leaving. The explosion was powerful enough to tear apart steel railings and destroy stone steps. All three were seriously wounded. Iermolaiev, 58, remains in intensive care; his partner suffered what he described as "catastrophic" injuries with irreversible consequences, and their son sustained burns, fractures and severe trauma. Iermolaiev said the attackers saw a woman and child beside him before triggering the device.

Their goal was to kill all three of us, regardless of age or sex.

Our survival is nothing short of a miracle.

The accusation

In an open letter published on 16 July through his lawyers at Dynasty Law & Investment, Iermolaiev directly accused serving officers of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of carrying out the assassination attempt.

Based on the investigative evidence available to us, we have no doubt that serving officers of the main intelligence directorate of the ministry of defence of Ukraine, commonly known as the GUR, were directly involved in this attempted assassination.

He added that evidence suggests the conspiracy extended beyond the direct perpetrators to include GUR officers close to the agency's current or former leadership. Iermolaiev stressed the gravity of the allegation.

If active intelligence officers use their position, resources or networks to organise the murder of a family on European soil, this is no longer simply a crime against my family. It is a matter of international security and trust in our institutions.

The suspected bomber and arrests

French investigators identified the suspected bomber as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national with a residence in Germany. Days after the Monaco attack, she was found shot dead in a forest near the village of Yuriv, about 60 km west of Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities arrested two men over her killing: Vladyslav Reut, a serving GUR officer, and Oleksandr Zhykovych, a former law enforcement officer. Appearing in a Kyiv court on 9 July, Reut claimed Zhykovych was responsible for the murder. Ukrainian prosecutors have portrayed the case as the actions of a rogue officer, alleging Reut concealed his contacts with Berezovska and acted without the knowledge of GUR leadership. Iermolaiev rejected that account, insisting the evidence points to a wider conspiracy.

Call for protection and thanks

Iermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born businessman naturalised as a Cypriot citizen and under Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023 for alleged cooperation with Russia, thanked President Volodymyr Zelensky for his "personal attention" and assistance. He also expressed gratitude to Prince Albert II of Monaco, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the authorities involved. He made clear his accusations were not directed against Ukraine or its people. He called on Monaco, France, Ukraine and international institutions to guarantee the protection of his family, witnesses, lawyers and all those involved in the investigation.

Until all those responsible, including anyone who instigated this crime, are identified and held accountable.

What happens next

Iermolaiev said he and his lawyers will cooperate fully with investigators. He faces months and years of surgeries and rehabilitation. The French and Monegasque authorities continue their investigation into who ordered the attack, while the Ukrainian probe into Berezovska's murder proceeds. The case raises questions about the reach of intelligence agencies and the safety of individuals on European territory.