Yermolaiev on Monaco attack: rare liquid explosive used, available only to Ukraine's GUR
Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev says a rare liquid explosive was used in the Monaco attack against him, claiming it is not available to regular troops but only to Ukraine's military intelligence (GUR), and suggests a link to detained GUR officer Vladyslav Reut.
Sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev told Ukrainska Pravda in an interview that the explosive device used against him in Monaco was extremely rare. According to him, publicly available information suggests such explosives are not found among regular military units but are available to Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
Yermolaiev said the substance was a liquid explosive that leaves severe chemical burns on the body and is not sold anywhere on the open market. He believes the device was manufactured in Ukraine, transported to Europe, and then deployed there.
The businessman is convinced that Anastasiia Berezovska, the now-deceased suspect accused of planting the device, did not act alone. He suggested that GUR officer Vladyslav Reut, described as an explosives specialist, could have obtained the material through his work and may have built the device himself. Reut is also linked to Berezovska's killing. Yermolaiev noted that no official has publicly confirmed Reut's involvement in Berezovska's murder, despite the facts pointing that way.
After the attack, Yermolaiev said he spoke with GUR representatives, who assured him an internal investigation was underway, though the agency has offered almost no public comment.
Background
An explosion occurred in Monaco around 9:00 p.m. on 29 June, injuring three people, two of them severely. Sources indicated the victims were Yermolaiev and his relatives. On 3 July, Interpol issued an international wanted notice for 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen Anastasiia Berezovska, suspected of planting the device. On 7 July, she was found murdered and buried near Kyiv, and two suspects were detained — GUR officer Vladyslav Reut and former Security Service (SBU) employee Vitalii Zhykovych. On 9 July, a court ordered both held in pretrial detention without bail. Investigators believe the same two men may have organized the Monaco attack as well.
