Ukrainian prosecutors have released previously unseen surveillance footage of the bomb attack that injured Monaco-based businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner Anna and their 13-year-old son outside their apartment building in Monaco last month.
The video, made public to press agency AP by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, shows the moments leading up to the explosion on 29th June and forms part of the evidence gathered during the investigation into the attempted murders.
According to prosecutors, the camera used to capture the attack had been secretly installed by those behind the bombing to verify that the explosive device had detonated as planned. The footage had subsequently been deleted but was recovered by specialists from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) during the investigation.
The recovered video shows a person wearing a hat approaching the entrance to the family’s apartment building carrying a bag. The individual appears to place an object near the doorway before leaving the scene. Moments later, Yermolaiev, Anna and their teenage son arrive at the entrance, where the device explodes as they approach.
All three survived the blast but sustained injuries.
Ukrainian prosecutors say deleted bombing video was restored by investigators
The release of the footage comes less than two weeks after Ukrainian authorities announced the arrests of two men in connection with the case. One suspect is a serving officer with Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), while the second is a former law enforcement officer.
Prosecutors allege the two men murdered Anastasiia Berezovska, the Ukrainian woman suspected of planting the bomb in Nice, after she returned to Ukraine following the attack.
According to investigators, Berezovska travelled back to Ukraine on 1st July. After tracing her movements and communications, authorities concluded that she had met with the two men before being shot dead near Kyiv. Her body was later discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.
One of the detained suspects has reportedly confessed to the killing, telling investigators it was carried out to eliminate the alleged bomber and conceal those who organised the attack.
Two suspects arrested after death of alleged Monaco bombing suspect
The investigation is being carried out jointly by Ukrainian authorities and law enforcement agencies in several countries, including Monaco, where judicial authorities continue to investigate the attempted murders.
Monaco prosecutors have previously confirmed that the attack is being treated as attempted murder rather than terrorism and have issued an international arrest warrant as investigators work to identify everyone involved in planning and carrying out the bombing.
The arrests in Ukraine have significantly expanded the scope of the investigation, which now encompasses both the bombing itself and the subsequent killing of the woman accused of carrying it out.
The case remains one of the most complex criminal investigations linked to Monaco in recent years, involving an alleged contract bombing, international fugitives, cross-border investigations and the suspected murder of the woman accused of carrying out the attack.
See also:
Vadym Iermolaiev breaks silence after Monaco bombing: “Our survival was nothing short of a miracle”
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Image taken from the video