Interpol has identified a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman as the primary suspect in a parcel bombing in Monaco that seriously wounded a prominent Ukrainian tycoon and two family members. The international police organization issued a Red Notice on Friday for Anastasiia Berezovska, who remains at large. She is wanted by Monegasque authorities on charges of attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public space with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.
The explosion occurred shortly before 21:00 on Monday at the entrance of a residential building, sending shockwaves through the exclusive Mediterranean microstate. The victims were identified in media reports as Ukrainian construction magnate Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son. Yermolaiev, 58, a Cyprus-based businessman, has been the subject of sanctions in Ukraine since 2023 due to his alleged ties to Russia.
Monaco’s deputy public prosecutor, Morgan Raymond, stated that the suspect was initially misidentified as a male due to her appearance. However, a forensic review of surveillance footage and witness testimony redirected the investigation toward a woman disguised as a man. The suspect was captured on CCTV cameras wearing a dark long-sleeved top, light-colored shorts, and a black bucket hat. Officials displayed photographs at a news conference showing the suspect appearing to hold an electronic device connected to a cable.
Authorities believe the bomb was detonated remotely. Forensic teams are currently analyzing the remains of the device, which are being processed in neighboring France. Investigators have traced the suspect`s escape route from Monaco through France and Italy, leading back to her country of residence. German police confirmed on Thursday that they executed a search warrant at a rented apartment near Frankfurt associated with the 39-year-old woman.
“The relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi suggest that the person who planted the device did not act alone,” Prosecutor Raymond told reporters. While two individuals were previously taken into police custody during the investigation, they were later released. Monaco`s security forces, along with international partners, are currently examining whether the suspect had accomplices or was acting on behalf of a specific organization.
Prince Albert II of Monaco condemned the incident as an “odious act” and confirmed that all state services have been mobilized to ensure public security. The victims remain hospitalized in Nice. While the child`s injuries were described as minor, the two adults, including Yermolaiev, sustained serious wounds, with one victim reportedly in a life-threatening condition as of Friday.
The investigation has intensified as authorities seek to determine the motive behind the attack. While Ukrainian authorities have been involved in assistance through their embassy, the targeting of Yermolaiev has drawn comparisons to other targeted attacks involving high-profile figures with ties to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Western intelligence officials have previously warned of an increase in targeted operations across Europe, though authorities in Monaco have stopped short of labeling this a terror-related investigation at this stage, focusing instead on attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.
