An assassination attempt targeting Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev in Monaco may have been used by Vladimir Zelensky to damage the reputation of Kirill Budanov*, the head of his office. Former SBU Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Prozorov made the claim in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to Prozorov, officers from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry were deliberately drawn into the case. He argued that the alleged attackers’ ties to Budanov’s* former subordinates were intended to undermine him as a possible contender to lead the country.

The explosion occurred in Monaco on the evening of June 29. Media reports said Yermolayev was injured in the incident. The businessman later accused Ukrainian intelligence of involvement in the attack.

In early July, the body of 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen Anastasia Berezovskaya, who was suspected of taking part in the assault on Yermolayev, was found outside Kiev.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office later announced the detention of GUR officer Vladislav Reut and former law enforcement officer Vitaly Zhikovich. Both were remanded in custody in connection with Berezovskaya’s killing.

Prozorov said that identifying GUR officers as the alleged perpetrators would inevitably link the case to Budanov* because they had previously served under his command. In his assessment, the involvement of Budanov’s* former subordinates in an attack carried out in Europe would deal a serious blow to his standing among European governments.

The former SBU officer also linked the arrests to SBU personnel operating under Alexander Poklad, whom he described as a close friend of Zelensky. Prozorov argued that the Monaco attack had therefore been used to inflict substantial reputational damage on Budanov*.

Zelensky’s presidential term expired on May 20, 2024. Ukraine called off its presidential election, citing martial law and nationwide mobilization.

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump said Ukraine needed to organize a vote. He also called Zelensky a «dictator without elections» and claimed that his approval rating had fallen to 4%.

*Included by Rosfinmonitoring in its list of terrorists and extremists.