Interpol Issues Red Notice for Ukrainian Woman in Monaco Bombing Targeting Pro-Russian Tycoon

A 39-year-old Ukrainian woman has been identified as a suspect in a bombing that targeted a pro-Russian Ukrainian tycoon residing in the Principality of Monaco.

Interpol issued a Red Notice for Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national, on its website on July 3 (local time).

Interpol stated that the notice was issued at the request of Monaco authorities, citing charges of attempted murder, placing explosives in a public place for criminal purposes, and criminal conspiracy.

Berezovska is suspected of leaving a homemade explosive device on the ground floor of a residential building in Monaco on June 29 and fleeing the scene.

The explosion injured Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian multi-millionaire, his wife, and their 13-year-old son.

According to Reuters, Morgan Raymond, Deputy Prosecutor of Monaco, said in a press conference that day that the suspect placed the explosive in front of the building and detonated it with a remote control when the three victims arrived.

The prosecutor explained that the suspect then fled on foot into neighboring France, before using a vehicle rented in Germany to escape through several European countries, including Italy, back to Germany.

Berezovska is believed to be residing in Germany.

The suspect was captured on nearby CCTV cameras wearing a dark bucket hat and dark clothing, leading investigators to initially assume the perpetrator was a man.

However, the prosecution explained that during the investigation, they discovered the suspect had scouted the crime scene multiple times beforehand. While she mostly wore attire similar to that on the day of the crime, she was captured on one occasion with her long, dark hair visible, allowing authorities to determine that she was a woman disguised as a man.

Deputy Prosecutor Raymond explained that given the highly sophisticated nature of the attack, it is unlikely the suspect acted alone.

Monaco prosecutors are currently tracking potential accomplices or those who may have ordered the crime.

Reuters, citing a judicial source in Monaco, reported that the suspect was spotted in Frankfurt, Germany.

German police stated they had searched an apartment and a vehicle rented by Berezovska, but did not disclose her identity at the time.

"Evidence has been secured and will be handed over to the Monaco authorities," German police added, noting that the woman remains a fugitive.

The French daily Le Figaro, citing sources close to the investigation, reported that while the suspect did target the couple, the goal was not to eliminate Yermolaiev.

The source stated that the act was intended to send a warning message to Yermolaiev, effectively saying, "Even if you are in Monaco, we can find you."

Yermolaiev is a millionaire living in Monaco who was reportedly placed under sanctions by the Ukrainian government in December 2023 for conducting alcohol-related business in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Regarding the mastermind behind the crime, sources told Le Figaro that clues related to Ukraine remain strong, and it is highly likely that the operation was led by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.