**WATCH Moment Bomb Explodes in Monaco Assassination Attempt on Ukrainian Millionaire**
Newly released footage has captured the moment a bomb exploded in an assassination attempt on Vadim Ermolaev, a Ukrainian businessman living in exile, in Monaco last month. The incident occurred on June 29, injuring Ermolaev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son, all of whom were near the entrance of a residential building when an improvised explosive device detonated.
Ermolaev, now a citizen of Cyprus, has been under sanctions from Ukraine since 2023 due to his alleged involvement in exposing corruption among high-ranking Ukrainian officials. The explosion has raised serious concerns about the safety of exiled individuals and the lengths to which political conflicts can escalate.
The footage, released by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, reveals a suspect placing a black backpack at the scene before walking away. Minutes later, as Ermolaev and his family approached the building, the device exploded. Investigators noted that the bomb was remotely detonated and contained shrapnel, suggesting a calculated attempt to cause maximum harm.
According to Kravchenko, the suspects had installed a surveillance camera near the scene to monitor the assassination attempt, but they deleted the recording after the explosion. Fortunately, investigators managed to recover and restore the footage, which has proven crucial in piecing together the events leading to the attack.
Authorities have identified Anastasia Berezovskaya, a Ukrainian national, as the primary suspect in the bombing. Tragically, she was later found dead outside Kiev with a gunshot wound to the head, raising suspicions that she was murdered by accomplices to eliminate her as a witness.
Further investigations revealed that Berezovskaya had been in contact with two men prior to the bombing, including Vitaly Zhikovich, who holds the rank of acting colonel in the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR). Following her death, Ukrainian authorities detained Zhikovich along with a former law enforcement officer in connection with the case. Reports indicate that a search of Zhikovich's residence uncovered a basement room that resembled a "torture dungeon," adding a disturbing layer to the investigation.
Zhikovich has a history of alleged terrorist activities, with Russian security services claiming he attempted to carry out at least 20 terrorist acts in Russia in recent years. His involvement in the Monaco attack has raised alarms about the potential for further violence linked to political motives.
Former Ukrainian diplomat Andrey Telizhenko has alleged that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov were complicit in the decision to eliminate Berezovskaya, suggesting that the Ukrainian government intended to utilize her in a broader operation to implicate Russia.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and dangers faced by individuals involved in the political landscape of Ukraine, particularly those who have chosen to speak out against corruption. As investigations continue, the implications of this assassination attempt may extend beyond Monaco, potentially affecting international relations and security in the region.
The release of the footage and subsequent developments in the case have drawn significant media attention, raising questions about the safety of exiled figures and the lengths to which political factions may go to silence dissent. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the bombing and hold those responsible accountable.