Interpol has named Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, as the primary suspect in a bomb attack that occurred in Monaco on Monday. The explosion targeted Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family, resulting in injuries to Yermolaiev, his partner, and their son. The attack has raised concerns due to its implications in the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine and Russia.
The Interpol Red Notice, issued on Friday, seeks Berezovska's arrest for attempted murder, the placement of an explosive device in a public area, and criminal conspiracy. Monaco authorities have not publicly identified the injured parties, but media reports confirm that Yermolaiev and his family were the victims. Yermolaiev, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship nearly a decade ago, was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 due to his connections with Russia.
Morgan Raymond, Monaco's deputy prosecutor, stated that the bomb was detonated remotely and that forensic analysis of the device is underway in France. Initial descriptions of the suspect indicated a heavily built individual appearing male; however, further investigation revealed that the suspect was a woman disguised as a man. Authorities are exploring whether Berezovska acted alone or had accomplices.
Two men were briefly detained during the investigation but were later released. Investigators have tracked a rented vehicle with German license plates linked to the suspect and have identified her last known address in Germany. German police have conducted searches related to the case and secured evidence to be shared with Monaco authorities.
The bombing has shocked the affluent community of Monaco, prompting Prince Albert II to condemn the act as "odious." The incident underscores the broader context of targeted attacks amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has seen an increase in such actions since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.