Monaco Bombing Suspect Identified: Ukrainian Woman Disguised as Man Hunted by Interpol

IR SUMMARY — KEY POINTS

• Interpol has issued a Red Notice for 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, who is identified as the primary suspect in the June 29 bombing incident in Monaco.
• The explosive device was detonated remotely at an apartment building entrance while targeting a Ukrainian-born business tycoon and his family as they arrived home.
• Investigators revealed the suspect successfully disguised herself as a heavily built male by using specific attire and headwear to evade immediate identification during the attack.
• Monaco Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond stated that the complexity and sophisticated nature of the device strongly suggest the suspect did not act alone in this operation.
• While the targeted tycoon and his son remain in stable condition, the tycoon's wife is currently in critical condition following severe injuries sustained during the explosion.

The serene atmosphere of the wealthy principality of Monaco was shattered on June 29 when an apartment building became the site of a targeted bomb attack. Authorities have launched an international manhunt for 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, who has been identified as the chief suspect in the incident. According to Interpol, the suspect, a Ukrainian national, allegedly utilized a remote-controlled explosive device to strike at a family as they returned to their residence. The investigation, which has crossed multiple international borders, is now probing potential accomplices who may have facilitated the planning of this violent act.

Deceptive Disguise and Surveillance Tactics

The tactical execution of the bombing involved a calculated deception that initially misled law enforcement investigators. Surveillance footage from the days preceding the attack documented the suspect conducting reconnaissance missions, where she consistently appeared in a disguise designed to imitate a heavily built male figure. She was observed wearing dark long-sleeved clothing, light-colored shorts, and a distinct black bucket hat. This gender-bending ruse allowed her to move through the vicinity of the Sun Palace residence with a level of anonymity that only crumbled after authorities conducted a meticulous review of hours of detailed CCTV footage.

Prosecutors have revealed that the bombing was not a random act of violence but a specifically targeted strike against Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born construction tycoon who has been the subject of sanctions due to his reported ties to Russia. The victims, which included the tycoon, his wife, and their young son, were caught in the blast as they approached their home after a dinner outing. Medical reports confirm the family sustained significant trauma, with the wife of the tycoon currently fighting for her life in a critical condition, while others involved suffered shrapnel and burn injuries.

Targeting a High Profile Tycoon

Beyond the immediate scene of the blast, investigators are scouring evidence to understand the logistical network that supported the perpetrator. A rented vehicle bearing German license plates has emerged as a key piece of evidence, providing clues to the suspect's movements across Europe. The sophistication of the remote-controlled device, which remains under forensic analysis in France, has led officials to explicitly state that the suspect likely received outside assistance. This has broadened the scope of the judicial investigation to look for co-conspirators who might have provided the technical or financial backing for the operation.

The suspect, who is believed to have links to Germany, reportedly possesses a distinctive physical feature that may aid in her capture. Interpol’s Red Notice highlights a potential snake tattoo located on her right arm, stretching from the shoulder to the elbow. This specific identifying mark is being circulated among law enforcement agencies across the continent. While two men were initially brought into custody shortly after the explosion occurred, they were later released, indicating that the core operational team behind the detonation remains at large and continues to pose a significant security concern.

Evidence of International Logistical Support

The impact of this brazen attack has rippled through the upper echelons of the Mediterranean sovereign state, forcing a reassessment of public security protocols. Prince Albert II has publicly condemned the event as an odious act, emphasizing the mobilization of all available public services to restore order and safety. The incident is particularly jarring for the principality, a territory widely recognized as a secure haven for global elites and high-net-worth individuals. The focus now shifts toward securing regional cooperation to track the suspect, who is thought to have fled the area and crossed into French territory.

Legal proceedings are currently framing the incident as an act of attempted murder, conspiracy, and the unlawful placement of explosives in a public space. Monaco’s investigative team is working in close collaboration with French authorities to bridge the gaps in the timeline of the suspect’s flight. The use of a remote-controlled device implies a level of premeditation that suggests the perpetrator waited on a nearby park bench to confirm the target’s location before initiating the detonation sequence. This level of patience and planning has led experts to conclude that this was a professional operation.

Broadening Investigation into Suspect Network

As the manhunt for Anastasiia Berezovska intensifies, the international police community remains on high alert. The collaboration between Interpol and local investigators serves as a testament to the urgency of capturing a suspect who has demonstrated a willingness to utilize lethal force in a crowded residential setting. While the investigation remains ongoing, the priority for authorities is to establish a clearer picture of the motive behind the attack and to dismantle any remaining cells or networks that enabled such a direct assault on private citizens within the heart of the principality.