Ukrainian woman disguised as a man is main suspect in Monaco attack

Ukrainian Woman Disguised as Man Faces Bomb Attack Allegations in Monaco

Ukrainian woman disguised as a man is – Monaco’s authorities have identified a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman, Anastasiia Berezovska, as the primary suspect in a bomb attack that injured a Ukrainian tycoon on Monday. The suspect, listed in an Interpol Red Notice, was last known to reside in Germany and bears a tattoo, potentially of a snake, stretching from her shoulder to the elbow on her right arm. According to prosecutors, she fled to France after the attack and later drove to Italy using a German-registered rental car, which was linked to the operation.

Surveillance and Clues Point to Disguise

Monaco’s prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, described the attack as an “attempted assassination,” marking the first recorded bomb incident on the principality’s tightly monitored streets. The sophistication of the explosive device suggests a well-organized plan, with multiple individuals possibly involved. This theory is supported by the fact that two men were detained in Monaco but later released due to insufficient evidence.

“BFMTV shared a photograph of the suspect shortly after the blast, which media outlets initially believed depicted a man fleeing the scene,” stated the article. The image showed a figure wearing a black jumper, light-colored trousers, and a black bucket hat, leading to assumptions about the suspect’s gender. However, the true identity of the individual was later revealed to be a woman, adding an unexpected twist to the investigation.

Officials confirmed that the attack targeted Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born businessman, and resulted in injuries to a woman and a child. While the victims’ identities were not fully disclosed, authorities emphasized their connection to a Ukrainian family. The injured woman, who is not Yermolaiev’s wife, claimed she was not present at the scene during the blast and sustained no harm, according to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.

Victims and Wounds: A Tragic Night

The attack left one person in critical condition, another with serious injuries, and a third with minor wounds. Prosecutors also noted that two additional individuals were injured by glass debris on the street outside the building. The exact cause of the injuries remains under scrutiny, but the explosive’s impact was clear. Yermolaiev, who was returning from a seaside restaurant with his family, was targeted as the bomb was placed in the entranceway of their residence.

Monaco’s security infrastructure, which includes 556 police officers and 1,387 CCTV cameras, has long been touted as near-impenetrable. The city-state, roughly the size of Central Park, has not recorded any homicides or attempted murders in the past year, making the recent attack a landmark event. The unprecedented nature of the incident has shaken the community, highlighting vulnerabilities in the principality’s otherwise robust safety measures.

Tracking the Suspect: A Journey from Germany to Italy

Following the blast, the suspect’s escape route became a focal point of the investigation. She first crossed into France, then traveled to Italy via a car registered in Germany, which had been rented for the operation. This sequence of movements, combined with the discovery of her masculine disguise, raised questions about her motives and the extent of her planning. The tattoo, which could be a symbolic detail, may have played a role in her appearance or as a personal identifier.

Security footage captured the suspect scouting the area multiple times before the attack, wearing the same disguise she used on the night of the incident. However, on one occasion, a woman was observed following the same path and displaying similar behavior, prompting investigators to consider the possibility that she was the same individual. This observation, along with other clues, has been critical in piecing together the timeline of events.

The Mysterious Target and Unanswered Questions

The attack’s target, Vadym Yermolaiev, is a prominent figure in the Ukrainian business community. His family’s presence at the scene during the blast adds layers to the mystery, though the exact relationship between the victims and the suspect remains unclear. While the injured woman is not his wife, her connection to the family is still under investigation. The motive behind the attack has yet to be determined, leaving authorities to speculate on potential political or personal factors.

Monaco’s authorities have been working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the incident. The city’s surveillance systems, which have been a key tool in maintaining order, were instrumental in tracking the suspect’s movements. However, the complexity of the case has also revealed challenges in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator. The fact that the suspect managed to evade detection for days before being caught underscores the difficulty of the investigation.

As the case unfolds, the implications of a Ukrainian woman disguising herself as a man to carry out an attack in a secure European city have sparked broader discussions. The incident raises questions about the potential for organized groups or lone actors to exploit Monaco’s perceived safety. Authorities are now focusing on analyzing the suspect’s background, potential accomplices, and the broader context of the attack.

Background on the Suspect and the Attack’s Timing

Anastasiia Berezovska’s history in Germany may provide insight into her actions. Her presence there before the attack suggests she could have been planning the operation in relative anonymity. The timing of the incident, which occurred four days after the bomb was planted, indicates a deliberate strategy to avoid immediate detection. This period allowed the suspect to move unnoticed while the explosive device was activated.

BFMTV, CNN’s French affiliate, has been a key source of information during the investigation. The network’s early reports, based on the suspect’s photograph, initially misidentified the individual as male. This mistake highlights the challenges of recognizing the suspect in a public setting. The image, which was widely circulated, has since been reevaluated to confirm her true identity.

With the suspect now at large and the city in a state of alert, the Monaco police continue their efforts to trace her movements. The incident has prompted a reassessment of security protocols and raised concerns about the city’s ability to prevent such attacks in the future. As the investigation progresses, more details about Berezovska’s role and the broader context of the attack are expected to emerge.

This story has been updated with further developments. Contributions to the reporting came from CNN’s Ivana Kottasová and Rupert Neate, who have been following the case closely. The unfolding events not only shed light on the suspect’s actions but also serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of terrorism even in the most secure environments.