Authorities have said that the main suspect in a bomb attack in Monaco this week, which seriously injured a Ukraine-born business tycoon and two of his family members, is a Ukrainian woman living in Germany who disguised herself as a man.
On Friday, Interpol issued a red notice for 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, describing her as a German speaker with dark hair and a tattoo, possibly of a snake, on her right arm from shoulder to elbow. The notice—a request for law enforcement worldwide to find and arrest a suspect—said she is wanted in Monaco for attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.
German police said on Friday they had searched the rented apartment and car of a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman. “Evidence was secured and will be handed over to Monaco authorities,” they said, adding, “The wanted woman is currently on the run.”
Monaco’s deputy prosecutor, Morgan Raymond, said the suspect had been living in Germany and that, given the complexity of the explosive device and the sophisticated nature of the attack, investigators believe it’s likely she did not act alone. Two people were arrested in Monaco earlier this week but were released because no evidence linked them to the attack, he added.
Raymond said the attacker is suspected of leaving a package in the entrance hall of a small apartment building between Boulevard d’Italie and Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla in Monaco, just meters from the French border, on Monday evening. Shortly after, around 9 p.m. local time, the bomb went off as three residents—a couple and a 13-year-old child—were entering the building.
The victims’ identities have not been confirmed, but police and judicial sources say they are Vadym Iermolaiev, 58, a wealthy businessman originally from Ukraine who now holds Cypriot nationality, his partner, and his son. The child was admitted to Lenval children’s hospital in Nice in non-critical condition, while the two adults, with life-threatening injuries, were taken to Nice university hospital. Hospital authorities say the man is no longer in a life-or-death situation, but the woman’s condition has not stabilized and remains critical. French media report that surgeons amputated both her legs.
Raymond said the attacker set off the bomb with a remote control when the three victims arrived in the entrance hall, then crossed on foot into France and fled in a car rented in Germany, returning there via several European countries, including Italy. He said the suspect was initially identified as a heavily built man wearing a dark long-sleeved top, light-colored shorts, and a black bucket hat, but CCTV footage and witness testimony led investigators to focus on a woman disguised as a man.
Two photos in the Interpol red notice show a woman in a white T-shirt with dark stripes. One, taken on the street, shows her holding what looks like an electronic device with a cable in her left hand. Judicial sources say the suspect was later spotted in Frankfurt.
Iermolaiev, a Monaco resident since at least 2021, has been under sanctions in Ukraine since December 2023 for his business activities in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Kyiv claims he ran an alcohol business there and continued paying taxes to Russia even after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Forbes Ukraine estimated his fortune at $220 million in 2021. The tycoon’s 35-year-old son, Artur, is also believed to have many enemies. He was convicted…A man was convicted of fraud in Estonia this year after admitting to running a fake investment scam from Ukraine. The scheme took in around €100 million between 2019 and 2022.
The attack has shaken Monaco, one of the world’s smallest independent countries, known for its large number of extremely wealthy residents. Monaco’s Prince Albert II called it “a hateful act” and said all public services had been mobilized.
AFP and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the reported incident written in a natural tone with clear concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What happened in Monaco
A A woman is suspected of sending a parcel bomb in Monaco She was reportedly wearing a disguise to look like a man to avoid being caught
Q Was anyone hurt by the bomb
A The reports focus on the suspect and the plot Specific details about injuries or damage from the bomb itself are not confirmed in the initial reports but it was treated as a very serious threat
Q Why would someone send a parcel bomb
A Parcel bombs are used to attack a specific person or organization from a distance often for personal revenge political reasons or to cause fear Investigators are trying to find the motive
Q Was the suspect arrested
A Yes the woman was reportedly detained by police in Monaco and is being held for questioning
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q How did she disguise herself as a man
A Reports indicate she used a realistic silicone mask a wig and mens clothing to change her appearance This is a sophisticated disguise meant to fool security cameras and witnesses
Q Why is Monaco a significant location for this crime
A Monaco is a small wealthy citystate with very high security and a famous royal family An attack there is highly unusual and attracts major international attention making it a dramatic target
Q What kind of parcel bomb was used
A Specific details about the explosive device are usually kept secret by police during an ongoing investigation to avoid compromising the case
Q How did the police catch her if she was so well disguised
A Investigators likely used a combination of forensic evidence CCTV footage analysis and tracking the packages origin They may have also had intelligence from other agencies
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q What are the specific charges she is likely to face
A She will likely face charges including attempted murder possession of an explosive device with intent to endanger life and possibly conspiracy The exact charges depend on Monacos legal system and whether the bomb was intended to kill
Q How does this case compare to other famous disguise terrorist attacks
A
