Monaco Bombing: Ukrainian Woman Suspect on Interpol Red Notice

Overview of the Monaco Bombing Attack

On June 29, 2026, a sophisticated parcel bomb explosion shattered the tranquility of Monaco's luxury La Rousse district, critically injuring three people including a sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch. The attack, which occurred at the entrance of the Sun's Palace apartment building at 4 Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla, has triggered an international manhunt for the prime suspect: 39-year-old Ukrainian national Anastasiia Berezovska, who authorities say disguised herself as a man during the attack. Interpol has issued a Red Notice for her arrest, marking one of the most dramatic criminal cases in the principality's history.

The improvised explosive device (IED), packed with bolts and buckshot for maximum damage, was left in a backpack at the building's entrance and detonated remotely via mobile phone as the victims arrived. Monaco's Minister of State Christophe Mirmand called it unprecedented, stating it was the first such bomb attack ever recorded in the wealthy city-state, which boasts one of the highest police-to-resident ratios in the world with 556 officers for 38,857 residents.

Who is the Suspect? Anastasiia Berezovska

Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian citizen residing in Germany, has been identified as the prime suspect in the Monaco bombing. According to Monaco's prosecutor, Berezovska disguised herself as a man during the attack, wearing a bucket hat to conceal her identity. She is described as armed and dangerous, with a distinctive snake tattoo on her right arm, and speaks German fluently.

Interpol's Red Notice, issued on July 2, 2026, charges Berezovska with attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public space with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy. Authorities believe she may have had accomplices due to the sophistication of the bomb, which was triggered remotely from approximately 12 meters away. Surveillance footage captured her fleeing on foot across the border into France, later traveling to Italy, with her last known sighting in Frankfurt, Germany, where police have searched her rented apartment and seized a vehicle.

The suspect remains at large, and a Europe-wide manhunt is underway. The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile international manhunts, and experts in European cross-border crime investigations are closely monitoring the situation.

The Victims: Vadym Yermolaiev and Family

The primary target of the attack was Vadym Yermolaiev (also transliterated as Vadym Iermolaiev), a 58-year-old Ukrainian-born oligarch and real estate developer. Born in Dnipro, Ukraine, in 1968, Yermolaiev founded the Alef Group in 1995, amassing a fortune estimated at $220-230 million, ranking him among Ukraine's wealthiest individuals. He renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017 and became a Cypriot citizen, citing dissatisfaction with Ukraine's judicial and tax systems.

Yermolaiev was sanctioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in December 2023 for allegedly continuing business operations in Russian-occupied Crimea after its 2014 annexation. Yermolaiev has denied these accusations, claiming his Crimean assets were seized by Russia. He has publicly condemned Russia's invasion and stated he financially supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The other victims include a 46-year-old woman, identified in some reports as Anna Nasobina, who suffered life-threatening injuries and required leg amputations, and a 13-year-old boy, believed to be the couple's son. All three were rushed to a hospital in Nice, France, with Yermolaiev sustaining burns and shrapnel wounds.

Possible Motives: Organized Crime or Political Revenge?

Investigators are exploring multiple theories behind the attack. French newspaper Le Monde reported that the bombing may have been "a settling of scores linked to organized crime." Ukrainian media sources have linked the attack to fraudulent call centers operating in Dnipro, Ukraine. In December 2025, Yermolaiev's son, Artur, was detained in Cyprus and extradited to Estonia on charges of running scam call centers that defrauded victims across Europe. Artur reportedly entered a plea bargain, paid an €8.5 million fine, and received a suspended sentence before leaving Estonia, which has since banned him from re-entering.

Some analysts suggest the attack could be retaliation connected to that case rather than politically motivated. However, given Yermolaiev's sanction status and his business ties to Russia, the geopolitical implications of the Monaco bombing cannot be ruled out. Monaco's prosecutor has stated the attack is not considered terrorism at this stage.

International Manhunt and Interpol Red Notice

Interpol's Red Notice for Berezovska (Notice #2026-47934) requests law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest her pending extradition. The notice highlights her distinctive snake tattoo and her ability to speak German. Authorities in Monaco, France, Germany, and Italy are cooperating in the search, with roadblocks and helicopter surveillance deployed in the immediate aftermath.

Prince Albert II of Monaco condemned the attack as "an odious act" and expressed solidarity with the victims. The principality, which recorded zero homicides in 2025 and relies on 1,387 CCTV cameras for surveillance, has been deeply shaken by the incident. The case raises questions about security protocols in high-net-worth jurisdictions and the challenges of policing a borderless Europe.

FAQ: Monaco Bombing 2026

What happened in the Monaco bombing?

On June 29, 2026, a bomb hidden in a backpack exploded at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco's La Rousse district, critically injuring three people: Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, a woman, and a 13-year-old boy. The device was detonated remotely.

Who is the suspect in the Monaco bombing?

The prime suspect is Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man during the attack. She has a snake tattoo on her right arm and is believed to be in Germany or Italy. Interpol has issued a Red Notice for her arrest.

Why was Vadym Yermolaiev targeted?

Yermolaiev is a sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch with alleged business ties to Russian-occupied Crimea. However, investigators are also exploring links to organized crime, particularly fraudulent call centers operated by his son Artur in Ukraine.

Is the Monaco bombing considered terrorism?

No. Monaco's prosecutor has stated the attack is not classified as terrorism but as attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, likely linked to personal or criminal disputes.

What is an Interpol Red Notice?

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. It is not an international arrest warrant but a tool for international police cooperation.

Sources

This article is based on reporting from NOS, AP News, BBC News, CBC News, CNN, The Kyiv Independent, Le Monde, and Interpol official notices. All information is current as of July 3, 2026.