A former Ukrainian security officer linked to June’s devastating bomb attack in Monaco has claimed that senior figures within Ukraine’s military intelligence service authorised the operation targeting businessman Vadym Yermolayev…

As reported by the BBC, Vitalii Zhykovych made the allegations during an exclusive interview from a Kyiv prison, where he is being held in connection with the murder of Anastasiia Berezovska, the woman suspected of planting the explosive device.

The June 29 explosion seriously injured Yermolayev and his 13-year-old son, whilst his partner suffered catastrophic injuries. Zhykovych claims that Vladyslav Reut, an active officer in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, HUR, organised the operation and told him it had received approval from senior officials.

However, his account contains contradictions. During a court hearing, Zhykovych suggested Reut had also described the attack as unauthorised and commissioned by an unidentified civilian.

Zhykovych denies involvement in Berezovska’s killing, although both men stand accused of her murder. Her body was discovered in woodland near Kyiv shortly after she returned from Monaco, with gunshot wounds to the head.

The former officer also alleged that the bombing was connected to accusations that Yermolayev financially supported Russia through business interests in occupied Crimea. The businessman has repeatedly denied maintaining Russian-linked commercial interests. Berezovska’s husband disputes claims that she was working as an intelligence operative, believing she was unknowingly drawn into the conspiracy.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has previously pledged cooperation with investigators but has not publicly substantiated the allegations.

The BBC investigation raises further questions about who commissioned the Monaco attack, whether intelligence personnel acted officially or independently, and why the suspected bomber was subsequently killed.

Investigations in Monaco and Ukraine remain ongoing, with the competing accounts still unresolved.