Full Breakdown
Monaco Parcel Bomb Attack: International Manhunt for Ukrainian Suspect Anastasiia Berezovska
7/4/2026, 8:21:50 PM
Bomb Attack in Monaco: Core Facts
On 30 June 2026 a parcel bomb detonated at the entrance of a residential building near Monaco’s French border, injuring three members of a family who were returning from dinner. Monaco authorities opened a criminal investigation for attempted murder, placement of an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy. The suspect was identified as a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, Anastasiia Berezovska, who fled the scene and is currently on the run.
Background: Targeted Tycoon and Sanctions
Media reports consistently name Ukrainian-born construction magnate Vadym Yermolaiev as one of the injured. Yermolaiev, who renounced Ukrainian citizenship in 2017 and now holds Cypriot nationality, has been under Ukrainian sanctions since 2023 for maintaining business operations in Russian-annexed Crimea. The attack therefore appears to target a figure linked to Russia-related economic activity.
Key Figures and Investigative Bodies
- Anastasiia Berezovska – primary suspect, described as a German-speaking woman with a snake-like tattoo on her right arm.
- Morgan Raymond – Deputy Prosecutor of Monaco, leading the judicial inquiry.
- Stéphane Thibault – Public Prosecutor of Monaco, who issued the arrest warrant.
- Eric Arella – Director of Public Security, Monaco.
- German State Criminal Police (Hessian) – conducted searches of the suspect’s rented flat and vehicle in the Frankfurt area.
- Interpol – issued a Red Notice seeking her arrest worldwide.
Chronology of the Attack and Investigation
- 26 June – CCTV captures a heavily built individual, later re-identified as a woman, scouting the building.
- 30 June, ? 20:58 local time – The suspect places a parcel bomb on the steps, confirms the victims’ presence, and detonates it remotely.
- 30 June – Emergency services treat a man, a woman, and a 13-year-old child; the man’s condition improves, the woman remains critical, the child is stable.
- 1 July – Monaco issues an international arrest warrant and Interpol posts a Red Notice for Berezovska.
- 2 July – German police search the suspect’s rented apartment and car, securing evidence for Monaco.
- 3 July – Monaco’s Prince Albert II labels the act “an odious act” and mobilises all public services.
Injuries and Technical Details
Three victims suffered severe or light injuries: the adult male (later reported stable), the adult female (critical condition as of 3 July), and the 13-year-old child (non-critical). The explosive device was remotely detonated and, according to investigators, displayed a level of sophistication suggesting involvement of more than one perpetrator. Remains of the bomb are being analysed in France.
Implications for Monaco and International Law Enforcement
The incident marks the first recorded attempted murder in Monaco’s highly surveilled streets, challenging the principality’s reputation for security. It also underscores the effectiveness of cross-border police cooperation, with French, Italian, and German authorities assisting Monaco’s investigation and sharing forensic evidence.
Official Statements & Responses
- Prince Albert II called the bombing “an odious act” and ordered the mobilisation of all security services.
- Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond stressed that the bomb’s sophistication points to accomplices and that the suspect “did not act alone.”
- German police confirmed the suspect “is currently on the run” and that evidence from the searched flat and vehicle will be handed to Monegasque authorities.
- Interpol’s Red Notice lists the charges and describes the suspect’s physical characteristics, facilitating the global search.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Victim identities have not been officially confirmed by Monaco; some outlets identify Yermolaiev, his partner, and son, while Monaco’s prosecutor has declined comment.
- Motive remains unverified; authorities have not disclosed whether the attack was politically driven, personally motivated, or ordered by a third party.
- Although investigators suspect additional participants, no accomplices have been formally charged.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi suggest that the person who planted the device did not act alone,” — Morgan Raymond, Deputy Prosecutor, Monaco
- “The individual turned around to confirm that the three victims were on the steps and then detonated the bomb using a remote control,” — Morgan Raymond, Deputy Prosecutor, Monaco
- “an odious act” — Prince Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- “The woman being sought is currently on the run,” — German police statement
- “He stood up a few meters ahead of the victims, placed an explosive device taken from his shopping bag on the entrance steps of the building, then turned to confirm the presence of the three victims before triggering the explosion using a remote control,” — Morgan Raymond, Deputy Prosecutor, Monaco
