The suspect who planted the bomb to assassinate a Ukrainian tycoon may be a woman

Stephane Thibault, commissioner of the Monaco Prosecutor’s Office, said on July 2 that he had identified the suspect behind the parcel bomb, injuring Ukrainian tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev, a woman and a 13-year-old boy on June 29.

Monaco also issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who was identified as a foreign citizen and has now left Monaco. Surveillance cameras at the scene showed this person placing a bag at the entrance of an apartment building on Révérend Père Louis Frolla street in Monaco, then quickly leaving.

A moment later, the bag exploded when tycoon Yermolaiev passed by. Monaco officials determined this was an assassination attempt, not a terrorist incident.

Prosecutor Thibault did not reveal the suspect’s identity, but said Monaco had asked the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a Red Notice to arrest the suspect.

Le Figaro and BFMTV Citing a source from the Monaco investigation agency, the suspect was described as a Ukrainian woman in her 30s, registered to reside in Germany and deliberately disguised as a man to hide her identity.

According to an internal police memo, this person was wearing a black coat and black bucket hat and was recorded by security cameras appearing around the scene many times before committing the crime.

On June 29, the suspect followed Mr. Yermolaiev and his relatives from an area near Place de Moulins square, then placed an explosive bag at the entrance to the building where the victim lived. The suspect detonated the bomb using a mobile phone or a remote control-like device as soon as the victim approached.

After the explosion, the suspect fled toward the French town of Beausoleil. Investigators believe that this person has continued to move to Italy and may be hiding in a country in the European Union (EU).

The Monaco investigation agency has opened an investigation with charges including attempted murder, placing explosive devices in public places and organized crime. Monaco officials warned that the suspect was “armed and dangerous” and did not rule out the possibility of accomplices.

Local media said Mr. Yermolaiev, 58 years old, is currently out of danger. However, the woman accompanying him, identified by the press as Anna Nasobina, remained in serious condition and had to have both of her legs amputated. A 13-year-old boy suffered burns and injuries.

Mr. Yermolaiev was born in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017 and now holds Cypriot citizenship.

He is the founder of Alef Group, operating in the fields of real estate, agriculture, construction materials, mining and logistics services, many times appearing in the list of 100 richest people in Ukraine.

In 2023, Kiev imposed sanctions on him for allegedly having business relations with Moscow and paying taxes in the Crimean peninsula, although the businessman repeatedly denied it.

Prince Albert II of Monaco condemned the bombing as a “heinous act”. Monaco and French officials are continuing to coordinate the investigation of the motive for the attack as well as search for all those involved.