In brief
Ukrainian intelligence insider Vladyslav Reut has claimed that he did not sabotage the life of Anastasiia Berezovska, who was linked to a planned bombing in Monaco. In court, Reut contradicts his earlier confession, shifting responsibility onto fellow defendant Vitalii Zhykovych. The case connects violent incidents across Europe, raising questions about transnational threats and the blurred lines between intelligence operations and criminal activity. BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford details the latest courtroom revelations and their broader implications for regional security.
Ukrainian intelligence agent Vladyslav Reut was called to testify in Kyiv on the morning of Sunday, where he made a surprising reversal of his earlier statements. In a U‑shaped courtroom, the man denied that he killed Anastasiia Berezovska – a woman suspected of attempting to assassinate a multimillion‑aire in Monaco as part of a larger bomb‑plot scheme.
Reut has blamed the murder on co‑defendant Vitalii Zhykovych, saying that Zhykovych was the one who orchestrated the killing. He claims that the confusion over who was responsible was caused by his own earlier confession, which he now says was a mistake.
The allegations tie two distant incidents together: a planned bomb attack in Monaco and a shooting in Ukraine. Intelligence units from both countries are now examining how the two events might be connected.
"The evidence so far suggests a complex web of motives," said British correspondent Sarah Rainsford, who was on location at the Kyiv hearing. "If these accusations hold, it points to a new level of cross‑border cooperation among criminal networks.
Reut’s case illustrates the blurred lines between state‑run missions and criminal intent. Many Ukrainian officials have spoken about the role of dark‑web connections in extorting money from unsuspecting targets in Europe. If the allegations are verified, they could signal a shift in how crimes are prosecuted across national borders.
The courtroom proceedings are still in progress. The tribunal will soon determine whether Reut can be held fully accountable for any role in the alleged bombing plan and what legal grounds lie behind the claims made by Zhykovych. Meanwhile, security agencies across Europe are staying alert to potential threats arising from this unexpected cross‑border link.
