Monaco blast suspect identified as Ukrainian woman who fled to Germany

Monaco blast suspect identified as Ukrainian woman who fled to Germany
Police officers work near the residential building, the site of an explosion that occurred on Monday, in Monaco, 30 June, 2026
Reuters

A Ukrainian woman, Anastasiia Berezovska, is the main suspect in a Monaco parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including businessman Vadym Yermolaiev. Officials said she fled to Germany and may not have acted alone.

Authorities said cooperation with French police helped identify the individual quickly. The blast occurred shortly after residents entered the building, with investigators saying the device detonated in the entrance hall. Emergency services treated three victims, including a couple and a 13-year-old child, who were transported to hospitals in Nice.

The blast occurred shortly after residents entered the building, with investigators saying the device detonated in the entrance hall. 

They were later identified as Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, a wealthy businessman originally from Ukraine and now a Cypriot national, as well as his partner and his son. Officials initially said the case was not being treated as terrorism and focused on a single suspect, but the investigation has since escalated to attempted murder with international coordination and an Interpol notice.

Yermolaiev is a real estate investor with business interests previously linked to Russian-annexed Crimea. He was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 and has lived in Monaco since at least 2021. Local reports suggest the suspect may have used disguise tactics while fleeing toward the French border, though authorities have not confirmed this.

Monaco, known for its high-security environment and wealthy residents, has launched a wider investigation in cooperation with French authorities.

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