Suspect identified in Monaco explosion targeting Ukrainian oligarch
Interpol has released a photo of Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman suspected of planting a backpack bomb in a luxury Monaco apartment on June 29. The explosion left Ukrainian billionaire Vadim Ermolaev, 58, and his 46-year-old lover Anna Nasobina in critical condition. Nasobina required amputation of both legs. Ermolaev's 13-year-old son was also injured but less severely.
Wanted for attempted murder and conspiracy
Berezovska is wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, placing an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy. The Interpol red notice describes her as having dark hair and a tattoo, possibly of a snake, on her right arm from shoulder to elbow. She holds Ukrainian nationality, speaks German, and may also hold a Russian passport, having been born in Kazakhstan and lived in Crimea. Authorities believe she is pro-Vladimir Putin and has ties to organized crime.
Police warn suspect is armed and dangerous
Police stated: 'She is armed and dangerous and thought to be in the company of accomplices. She should be approached with extreme caution.' Berezovska's whereabouts are unknown, but she may have fled to the Balkans via France and Italy. CCTV showed her wearing a black hat, tracksuit, white jeans, and trainers, dropping off bags shortly before the blast at around 9pm. The backpack was reportedly filled with nuts and bolts, detonated by remote control. A car with German plates was used.
Witnesses describe horrific scene
One resident said the blast sounded like 'thunder coming from behind the mountains'. Another witness, Silvano Ippolito, told BFM TV: 'She was slumped over, covered in blood.' His wife, a doctor, applied tourniquets and performed mouth-to-mouth as Nasobina lost consciousness. Ippolito saw a man staggering out, blood-soaked, as the staircase collapsed. Ermolaev's son was 'lying on the ground, covered in blood'. Monaco's minister of state Christophe Mirmand said: 'It appears that the family was specifically targeted.' Prince Albert II called it a 'heinous crime' and 'a shock to the entire Monegasque community.'
Ermolaev's background
Ermolaev is a real estate mogul and was Ukraine's 23rd richest man as of 2020. He was sanctioned in 2023 for selling alcohol in Russian-occupied Crimea. His wife, also named Anna, 56, was abroad at the time of the attack.
