Monaco authorities and Interpol are seeking Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, in connection with a parcel bomb attack targeting Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Iermolaiev. The explosion occurred on the evening of Monday, July 1, near the entrance of a residential building on Rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Frolla in Monaco, leaving three people seriously injured.
Iermolaiev, a construction tycoon who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship nearly a decade ago and now holds Cypriot nationality, was among those wounded. Reports indicate he was targeted due to his alleged ties to Russia and was subject to Ukrainian sanctions since late 2023, partly linked to his business activities in Russian-occupied Crimea. Alongside Iermolaiev, a woman and a 13-year-old child were also injured. The woman suffered severe injuries leading to the amputation of both legs, while the child was hospitalized but not in critical condition. All victims are believed to belong to the same family.
Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Berezovska, who is described as having dark hair, speaking German, and bearing a distinctive tattoo resembling a snake on her upper right arm. Authorities believe she disguised herself as a man during the attack, with initial descriptions identifying a heavily built individual wearing a bucket hat and casual attire. CCTV footage captured the suspect fleeing on foot toward the nearby French town of Beausoleil.
Investigators have linked a rented vehicle with German license plates to the suspect, and her escape route was traced through several European countries, including France and Italy, before reaching her last known residence in Germany. Authorities in Monaco and cooperating judicial bodies emphasize ongoing international cooperation in the manhunt.
Monaco's deputy prosecutor, Morgan Raymond, indicated the remote-detonated explosive device showed a degree of sophistication and suggested that Berezovska likely did not act alone, though no additional suspects have been publicly identified. Two men were briefly detained during the investigation but have since been released.
The attack has drawn significant attention given Monaco's reputation as a secure haven for the wealthy and its status as a prominent international hub. Prince Albert II condemned the bombing as "an odious act" and confirmed that all relevant security services are actively involved in the response.
Forensic examination of the bomb’s remnants is underway in France, and authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the assault, which remains officially unconfirmed. The incident highlights complex geopolitical ties and unresolved tensions involving business figures with connections across Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.