Ukraine has escalated its drone offensive, targeting deep within Russia. Recent strikes hit a refinery in Crimea and an oil tank in Moscow. These actions seem intended to convey a message to Moscow, as peace discussions between the nations have stalled.
Interpol Issues Red Notice
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a red notice for Anastasiia Berezovska. The 39-year-old Ukrainian national is suspected of bombing an apartment building in Monaco, allegedly targeting a Russian-linked Ukrainian oligarch. The June 30 explosion reportedly injured Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born construction magnate.
Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, stated that the blast also injured a woman and a 13-year-old child. Media reports identify these victims as Yermolaiev’s family members.
Details of the Attack
Interpol describes Berezovska as a German-speaking woman with dark hair and possibly a snake tattoo on her arm. Initially, the suspect was thought to be a man, as Monaco Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond had referred to ‘him’ at first.
Raymond said, “He stood up a few meters ahead of the victims, placed an explosive device 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.”
Surveillance and Investigation
Prosecutors reviewed footage from the days preceding the explosion. Before June 28, a man in a fishing hat was seen surveilling the area. On June 28, he was absent, and instead, a woman believed to be Berezovska followed similar patterns.
Raymond stated, “The repeated reconnaissance operations and the pauses made in front of the building clearly demonstrate the intention to specifically target the three victims.”
Investigators traced her escape through Monaco, across France, Italy, and into Germany, where efforts to locate her continue. Her apartment in Frankfurt was raided on Thursday.
Raymond noted the complexity of the explosive device suggests Berezovska did not act alone.
“The relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi appear to indicate that the person who placed the device was not acting alone,” Morgan said.
Potential Motives
Authorities have not provided a motive for the attack, but Yermolaiev’s status could be relevant. The 58-year-old construction tycoon renounced Ukrainian citizenship in 2017 and acquired Cyprus citizenship in 2019.
In 2023, Ukraine sanctioned him for alleged pro-Russian activities, including paying taxes to Moscow and facilitating business in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
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