A Ukrainian woman, Anastasiia Berezovska, is currently the subject of an intense international manhunt following a devastating parcel bombing in Monaco. Startling new details emerged from the city-state’s deputy prosecutor: the alleged Monaco bomb suspect was reportedly “disguised as a man” during the attack, which left a wealthy multi-millionaire, his partner, and their teenage son seriously injured.
The 39-year-old Ms. Berezovska stands accused of depositing the explosive package within the entrance hall of a residential building before making a swift escape. Her flight path, according to investigators, led her first on foot, then by car, across borders to Germany. This shocking incident has sent ripples through the usually tranquil principality, prompting a rigorous cross-border investigation.
Search for the Monaco Bomb Suspect Intensifies
An Interpol Red Notice, a global alert for law enforcement, has been issued for Ms. Berezovska. She is wanted for a litany of serious charges: attempted murder, placing an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy. The explosion, which occurred just after 9 PM local time on Monday, inflicted severe injuries upon the victims as they were entering their building.
While Monegasque authorities have maintained confidentiality regarding the victims’ identities, local reports widely name them as 58-year-old Vadym Yermolaiev, a prominent real estate developer, his partner, and their 13-year-old son. Mr. Yermolaiev, a Cypriot citizen who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019, has significant business interests in Russian-annexed Crimea and has faced sanctions from Kyiv since 2023. Forbes magazine once listed him among Ukraine’s wealthiest individuals.
Investigators believe the Monaco bomb suspect spent several days meticulously casing the residence before the attack. CCTV footage captured a woman, wearing a dark bucket hat, leaving the scene on foot after placing the parcel. She is then thought to have picked up a hire car, traversing Italy before ultimately reaching Germany.
Interpol released images of Ms. Berezovska, showcasing her dark, shoulder-length hair and a distinctive tattoo on her right arm, “possibly” depicting a snake. The collaboration between Monegasque and French police forces has been crucial, allowing for the remarkably swift identification of the suspected perpetrator.
Meanwhile, German special forces conducted a search of a rented apartment in the Main-Taunus district and seized a vehicle linked to the 39-year-old Ukrainian woman. “Evidence has been secured and will be handed over to the Monegasque authorities,” stated a representative for the Hessian security authorities. They confirmed the woman is currently at large, an international arrest warrant firmly in place. Prince Albert II of Monaco has condemned the act as a “heinous crime.”
The victims received immediate medical attention. The adults, gravely wounded, were transported to Nice University Hospital (CHU), while their son, fortunately, sustained only minor injuries and was admitted to Lenval children’s hospital in Nice in a non-critical condition. As of Wednesday, Mr. Yermolaiev’s condition had improved beyond life-or-death, though his partner’s recovery remained unstable, according to AFP news agency. The international community watches closely as the search for the elusive Monaco bomb suspect continues. For more information on how international police collaborate, you can visit Interpol’s official site.