Ukrainian Spy Identified as Mastermind Behind Monaco Bombing
Russian authorities have released audio recordings revealing that Vitaly Zhikovich, a colonel in Ukrainian military intelligence, is the alleged mastermind behind the June 29 bombing in Monaco. This attack targeted Vadim Ermolaev, a businessman sanctioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The bombing involved a backpack containing an improvised explosive device, which was detonated remotely, resulting in serious injuries to Ermolaev and others, including a woman who lost her limbs and her 13-year-old son.
Zhikovich, who goes by the code name "Pastor," openly described his actions as terrorism in conversations with recruits. Following the bombing, Ukrainian authorities arrested him after he reportedly killed Anastasia Berezovskaya, the woman who carried out the attack. Her body was discovered in a grave near Kyiv, and initial investigations pointed to Vladyslav Reut, an officer in Ukraine's military intelligence agency, who later shifted blame to Zhikovich.
In the audio recordings, Zhikovich expressed a disturbing enthusiasm for his work, stating, "When I'm planning operations, I'm constantly thinking about them. It's my whole life. I live and breathe the operations I'm planning. I enjoy it. It's fascinating." He also detailed the lengths he would go to for disguises, including extreme measures to appear homeless.
Russian authorities claim Zhikovich has attempted at least 20 acts of terrorism in Russia, including a plot to bomb the Crimean Bridge with a vehicle loaded with explosives. He has also been linked to plans targeting high-profile individuals, providing detailed instructions for attacks that involved using improvised explosive devices.
Zhikovich's tactics included manipulating civilians into unwittingly participating in attacks, referring to them as "biological drones." He recruited a 16-year-old girl to carry an explosive device and sought out women online to act as suicide bombers without their knowledge.
The recordings further reveal Zhikovich's chilling admissions about his orders, including a statement that his superior expected civilian casualties. He also claimed to have connections with Mossad, alleging that the Israeli intelligence agency provided him with software capable of detecting lies.
Both Zhikovich and Berezovskaya remain in custody in Ukraine, facing charges of premeditated murder. This case raises significant questions about the operations of Ukrainian intelligence abroad and the oversight of such activities. The implications of these revelations may prompt scrutiny of the financial support provided by American lawmakers to Ukraine, particularly in light of the $195 billion allocated for the war effort, which some argue could be better spent on domestic needs.
