Ukrainian agent accused of Monaco bomb plot murder changes story

A Ukrainian intelligence operative charged with the killing of Anastasiia Berezovska has dramatically reversed key parts of his testimony, throwing fresh uncertainty into one of Europe’s most closely watched murder cases.

Berezovska, a 28-year-old woman described by investigators as connected to a Monaco-based bomb plot suspect, was found dead in woodland near Kyiv in November 2023. Her body had been dumped in a shallow depression roughly 40 kilometres from the city centre. Two men with documented links to Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, are now standing trial for her murder.

The changed testimony

The defendant, whose name Ukrainian courts have partially restricted from publication, told the court this week that his earlier account of events on the night of Berezovska’s death was, in his own words, “incomplete.” He now claims he was present at the scene but did not personally carry out the killing. That’s a significant shift. His original statement made no mention of being there at all.

Prosecutors say the reversal is calculated. They argue he’s attempting to reduce his exposure to the most serious charge, which carries a potential life sentence under Ukrainian law. The co-defendant has not altered his testimony and continues to deny involvement entirely.

The Monaco connection

Berezovska’s death is entangled with a separate and murky affair involving a suspected bomb smuggling operation tied to Monaco. Investigators believe she had information about or connections to an individual under surveillance for allegedly attempting to move explosive materials through Western Europe. The precise nature of her role remains disputed in court.

She had reportedly been in contact with Ukrainian intelligence figures in the weeks before her death. Phone records presented as evidence show at least 14 calls between her and one of the accused in the 72 hours before she disappeared.

Still, the exact motive hasn’t been established to the court’s satisfaction.

Official response

A spokesperson for the Prosecutor General’s office said the changed statement would not derail the case. “The physical evidence and digital records we have compiled are independent of any testimony given by the accused,” the spokesperson said. “We remain confident in the strength of the overall case.”

The SBU has not publicly commented on the trial or the accused men’s alleged ties to the service.

What comes next

The trial is expected to resume next month, with forensic experts scheduled to present findings on the cause of death and an analysis of soil samples taken from the accused’s vehicle. Defence lawyers have indicated they plan to challenge the chain of custody for several key pieces of evidence.

But the changed testimony has already reshaped the courtroom dynamic. And with international observers, including officials from Monaco’s judiciary, watching proceedings, the pressure on Ukrainian courts to deliver a transparent verdict is considerable. The case won’t quietly fade.