Authorities across Europe are intensifying their search for Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian national identified as the prime suspect in a parcel bombing that targeted a sanctioned multi-millionaire in Monaco. The attack occurred on Monday evening when an explosive device, left in the entrance hall of an apartment building near the French border, detonated as three residents—Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son—were entering. All three sustained serious injuries. Monaco’s deputy prosecutor, Morgan Raymond, has stated that Berezovska was “disguised as a man” during the incident, a detail that has complicated identification efforts. An Interpol Red Notice, which requests the arrest of a wanted individual across 196 member countries, has been issued for charges including attempted murder, placing an explosive device with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy.
The investigation has revealed a carefully orchestrated escape plan. According to Raymond, Berezovska spent several days casing the residence before the attack. After planting the package shortly before 21:00 local time, she fled on foot, then switched to a hire car and drove through Italy before reaching Germany. German authorities in the state of Hesse have confirmed that special forces searched a rented apartment in the Main-Taunus district on Thursday, where a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman had been staying. A vehicle used by the suspect was also seized, and forensic evidence is being analyzed. The suspect, who speaks German, is believed to have ties to the region, raising questions about whether she had pre-existing connections or logistical support there.
The intended victim, Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, is a wealthy real estate developer sanctioned by Ukraine for alleged ties to pro-Russian separatists. He has resided in Monaco, a city-state known for its strict privacy laws and affluent expatriate community. The attack highlights the growing risk of targeted violence against individuals on international sanctions lists, particularly those with assets in jurisdictions like Monaco that often serve as safe havens. This incident also underscores the challenges faced by small states with limited law enforcement resources, as Monaco relies heavily on cooperation with French and German authorities to track suspects across borders.
Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stephane Thibault, praised the rapid collaboration between police forces in Monaco and France, which enabled the identification of the suspect “in a particularly short time.” However, the search for Berezovska remains active, and investigators are exploring the possibility of accomplices. CCTV images released by Interpol show the suspect wearing a dark bucket hat and sporting a distinctive tattoo on her right arm, “possibly” depicting a snake. As the international manhunt continues, experts note that such cross-border attacks require sophisticated planning, suggesting either deep personal motivation or external coordination. The case also raises broader questions about the security of high-profile individuals in European microstates and the effectiveness of Interpol’s Red Notice system in tracking fugitives across multiple jurisdictions.