Interpol identifies Anastasiia Berezovska as suspect in Monaco bombing

Interpol has issued a Red Notice for 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, identifying her as the primary suspect in the bombing in Monaco that targeted a prominent businessman with deep ties to Russia. The identification of Berezovska, a Ukrainian national, is a notable shift in an investigation that began when authorities initially misidentified the perpetrator as a man.

Monaco’s deputy prosecutor, Morgan Raymond, confirmed that the explosive device was remotely detonated. While Monaco officials have declined to formally name the victims, multiple reports identify the target as Vadym Yermolaiev, a construction tycoon who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship years ago and was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for ties to Russia.

Media additions

One of the victims is still in a life-threatening condition, prosecutors said Friday, also mentioning two other “collateral victims” who were slightly injured in the attack. A woman and a child were also hurt.

Evolution of the Investigation

The pursuit of the suspect was narrowed through a re-examination of surveillance footage. Initial investigators believed the perpetrator was a heavily built man wearing a dark bucket hat and a long-sleeved top. However, follow-up analysis of CCTV recordings from the days preceding the attack, combined with witness testimony, led law enforcement to conclude that the suspect had disguised herself as a man to carry out the operation.

The Interpol Red Notice includes two photos of a woman wearing a white T-shirt with dark stripes, one of them in a street where she’s holding what appears to be some sort of electronic device, trailing a cable, in her left hand. The notice specifies that she has dark hair and a tattoo, potentially of a snake, on her right arm from the shoulder to the elbow.

Suspect Movements and International Cooperation

Investigators traced the suspect’s escape route from Monaco through France and Italy, eventually identifying her last known residence in Germany. German police, including special forces, on Thursday searched the rented apartment near Frankfurt of a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman in connection with the investigation, police and prosecutors said in a statement Friday. A vehicle used by the woman also was searched and secured, they added, and evidence will be handed over to authorities in Monaco.

Berezovska remains at large. Monaco prosecutors have filed charges including attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and the placement of an explosive device in a public space. Deputy Prosecutor Raymond noted that the nature of the device and the tactical execution suggest that the suspect likely did not act alone. Two men were detained during the initial phase of the investigation but were subsequently released without charge.

Context of the Attack

The incident has caused alarm within the principality, a state globally recognized for its high concentration of wealth. Prince Albert II of Monaco characterized the bombing as an odious act and confirmed that national security services were fully mobilized in response.

While investigations continue into whether the attack is linked to the broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine, analysts note that the use of targeted violence has become a recurring element of the ongoing war. Although such actions have historically been concentrated within Ukrainian or Russian borders, this incident represents an expansion of the operational theater into Western Europe.

What to Watch Next

• Accomplice Inquiry: With the prosecutor explicitly stating that the sophistication of the device suggests the involvement of multiple actors, the search for potential co-conspirators remains a priority.