Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man is main suspect in Monaco attack
Ukrainian Woman in Masquerade Faces Suspicion in Monaco Bombing
Ukrainian woman who disguised herself – Monaco’s authorities have named a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman as the primary suspect in a bomb attack that injured a prominent tycoon on Monday. Anastasiia Berezovska, identified through an Interpol Red Notice, had been residing in Germany before the incident and is reported to have a tattoo, possibly of a snake, stretching from her shoulder to her elbow. Following the explosion, she fled to France and later drove to Italy using a German-registered rental car, prosecutors noted.
A Disguise That Baffled Investigators
BFMTV released a photograph of the suspect shortly after the incident, which media initially interpreted as a man fleeing, clad in a black sweater, light-colored pants, and with her hair concealed under a black bucket hat. The image sparked confusion, as the suspect’s masculine appearance seemed to mislead observers. However, the woman’s identity was confirmed later, raising questions about how she managed to evade detection for so long.
Monaco’s security cameras captured the suspect scouting the location multiple times prior to the attack, wearing the same male disguise used on the night of the incident. This meticulous preparation highlighted the complexity of the operation, with prosecutors suggesting the involvement of more than one perpetrator. While two men were arrested in Monaco, they were released due to insufficient evidence, leaving the focus on Berezovska.
The Target and the Blast
The bombing targeted Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, who was injured along with a woman and a child in the attack. Monegasque authorities stated that the victims were part of a “family of Ukrainian origin,” but they did not explicitly name any of them. The injured woman, however, is not Yermolaiev’s wife, as clarified by her in a statement to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne on Tuesday.
“I was not at home during the attack and suffered no injuries,” the woman said, addressing the media on Tuesday.
On the night of the incident, the three victims were returning from dinner at a seaside restaurant when the suspect planted a bomb in the entranceway of their building. After placing the device, she turned back to check on the victims and activated it remotely, according to prosecutors. The attack left one individual in life-threatening condition, another with serious injuries, and the third with minor wounds. Two additional people were harmed by glass debris on the street outside the building.
A Rare Incident in a Secure Nation
Monaco, known for its stringent security, has not witnessed any homicides or attempted murders in the past year. This makes the bomb attack particularly alarming, as the city-state is only half the size of Central Park but is monitored by 556 police officers and 1,387 CCTV cameras. The incident, which prosecutors describe as an “attempted assassination,” marks the first recorded use of a bomb in an attempt to kill someone on Monaco’s highly surveilled streets.
Stéphane Thibault, Monaco’s prosecutor, emphasized the gravity of the event, stating: “The bombing was an attempt to eliminate a key individual, showcasing the level of planning and precision involved.” The attack not only disrupted the city’s reputation as a safe haven but also raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities in its security infrastructure.
International Collaboration and Ongoing Search
As investigations span multiple countries, German police have announced they are reviewing the rental apartment and vehicle of a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman suspected of ties to the attack. They plan to share evidence with Monegasque authorities, who continue their efforts to track down the suspect. The story has been updated with new developments, as reported by CNN’s Ivana Kottasová and Rupert Neate.
Berezovska’s ability to blend into the male-dominated environment of Monaco underscores the challenges of identifying threats
