Woman suspected of Monaco bomb attack found dead in Ukraine
Woman Linked to Monaco Bomb Attack Discovered Dead in Ukraine
Security Service Confirms Body Found in Kyiv Region
Woman suspected of Monaco bomb attack - Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) confirmed the discovery of Anastasiia Berezovska's body, a 39-year-old woman suspected of orchestrating a parcel bomb attack in Monaco. The body was found buried in a forest near Kyiv, with signs of gunshot wounds to the head. Berezovska was believed to have fled the city-state after detonating the explosive device in an apartment building's entrance on 29 June.
Interpol had issued a global alert to locate and apprehend Berezovska, who was wanted for attempted murder and criminal conspiracy. The agency's notice, shared with law enforcement worldwide, cited her alleged placement of an explosive on a public road. Two suspects, including a military intelligence officer, were later charged with her murder after meeting her on a highway in the Kyiv region two days following her arrival in the country.
Family and Financial Ties Under Scrutiny
Berezovska had connected with her family and two men upon entering Ukraine. The SBU indicated these individuals were investigated as potential accomplices due to their repeated financial transactions with her crypto and bank accounts. One of the men, a current military intelligence officer, confessed to the murder and implicated a second suspect.
Both men now face charges of "intentional murder committed by prior conspiracy." The SBU also revealed a basement room at the home of one suspect, described as "resembling a torture chamber," during a search. However, the prosecutor general clarified the room was not directly tied to Berezovska's case, stating it merely "reflects the profile of one of the suspects."
Attack Details and Victims
Monaco's deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymond noted Berezovska had spent days surveilling the targeted residence. She was "disguised as a man" during the attack, which injured three individuals, two critically. The victims were identified as Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and his 13-year-old son. Yermolaiev, a real estate developer, was listed as the 39th richest Ukrainian in 2020 with a fortune of $230 million.
Yermolaiev, a Cypriot citizen since renouncing Ukrainian nationality in 2019, has faced sanctions from Kyiv since 2023. His business interests include Crimea's wine and alcohol industry, which Russia annexed in 2014. Police released a CCTV image highlighting a tattoo on Berezovska’s arm, possibly depicting a snake, as part of their investigation.
Correction - 7 July 2026: An earlier version mistakenly claimed the basement room was connected to Berezovska's case. Ukrainian authorities clarified there is no evidence linking the space to her murder, stating it was released to "reflect the profile of one of the suspects."