Ukrainian agent Vladyslav Reut alters confession in Monaco murder case

A Ukrainian intelligence agent, Vladyslav Reut, accused of murdering Anastasiia Berezovska, a suspect in a failed assassination attempt in Monaco, has changed his story in a Kyiv courtroom on Thursday. Initially confessing to the crime, Reut now claims he did not pull the trigger and blames his co-defendant, Vitalii Zhykovych.

Details of the Assassination Attempt

The case has garnered significant attention due to Reut's position as an active officer in Ukraine's military intelligence agency, GUR. The assassination attempt targeted Vadym Yermolayev, a businessman with ties to cognac and real estate. Yermolayev, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship, faced sanctions from Kyiv for his business activities in Crimea following its annexation by Russia.

On the day of the court hearing, President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that more information would be disclosed soon, as the motive behind the bombing remains unclear.

Reut's Confession and Subsequent Denial

During the court proceedings, Reut originally confessed to shooting Berezovska and led investigators to her grave in the woods near Kyiv. However, he later retracted his confession, stating, "I categorically denied committing her murder" and attributing the act to Zhykovych. He claimed that he was threatened by Zhykovych, who allegedly warned, "If anything happens to me, your relatives are in danger."

In his revised account, Reut described how they picked up Berezovska, who had arrived in Ukraine shortly after the Monaco blast, under the pretense of hiding her for a supposed criminal matter. He stated that Zhykovych had produced a modified Makarov pistol during their drive and insisted that he shoot Berezovska, saying, "It's either her or us." According to Reut, Zhykovych ultimately shot her.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

Both suspects appeared in court handcuffed and masked, surrounded by armed security. The prosecutor noted that the two men acted in a coordinated manner, leading to charges of premeditated murder against them. Reut's defense lawyer has pointed out the possibility of a "Russian trail" in the case, indicating that Ukrainian intelligence agents have previously been recruited by Moscow.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered, with various theories being considered, including corruption and organized crime. The judge denied both men bail, remanding them in custody.