Ukrainian Woman Disguised as Man Becomes Europe’s Most Wanted After Monaco Bombing

Investigations have identified the primary suspect in the Monaco bombing as a Ukrainian woman described as "armed and dangerous." The explosive device she planted caused life-threatening injuries to a Ukrainian billionaire and his partner.

Stefan Thibaut, Monaco's public prosecutor, confirmed on Thursday that the suspect is a Ukrainian woman in her thirties, currently registered as a resident in Germany. "An arrest warrant has been issued against the suspect, who will be the subject of an Interpol red notice starting this evening," he stated.

A senior investigation source revealed that the woman "attempted to appear as a man" during the attack, but was recognized by a witness. It is believed she fled with accomplices to Italy but may have reached the Balkans.

The main suspect allegedly targeted billionaire Vadim Yeromolaiev, 58, his partner Anna Nasupina, 46, and their young son on Monday night. The woman, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was captured on camera outside the "Palace of the Sun," a luxury residential complex owned by Yeromolaiev.

Just before 9 p.m., in the building’s lobby, a backpack left behind exploded after the woman detonated it using a mobile phone. Nasupina suffered amputations to both legs, while Yeromolaiev sustained severe shrapnel wounds and burns.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect wearing a black hat and fleeing on foot across the border into France, where no checkpoints exist. Investigators believe she traveled to the French town of Boussole before making her way to Italy.

"She is armed and dangerous and is believed to be accompanied by partners. Extreme caution is advised," the source added.

Judicial authorities in both France and Monaco have opened criminal investigations on charges including "attempted murder," "planting an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent," and "criminal conspiracy." Security sources reported that cameras captured the suspect in the area on Monday morning before she returned to place the bomb.

One source indicated that the suspect was "approximately 12 meters away" when she detonated the device. The injured boy has recovered quickly and is currently providing testimony to police and prosecutors.

"He is describing exactly what he saw, although his memory is somewhat unclear. It appears his mother bore the full force of the explosion, while he sustained relatively minor burns and shrapnel injuries," a security source said.

Nasupina has previously been described as Yeromolaiev’s common-law wife. She is a Ukrainian citizen from Dnipro, Yeromolaiev’s hometown, and spends considerable time in England. Nasupina identifies as a London resident and has been registered as a director of Wycombe Square Investments LLP in London since 2023, but she frequently resides in Monaco, especially during the summer. She is the daughter of a former first deputy prosecutor of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The suspect is believed to have used a so-called "burner phone," a low-cost mobile device purchased without identification, commonly used by criminals and discarded after a crime.

Stefan Thibaut, who is leading the Monte Carlo investigation, said, "We are trying to arrest the suspect." Police and French military helicopters equipped with spotlights, along with numerous drones, have been deployed to the search area day and night since the attack.

While theories suggest that the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) might be behind the bombing, the preferred line of inquiry currently points to "gang-related settling of scores." The explosion marked the first attack of its kind in the tax haven known as "the Rock," which covers less than two square miles and is considered a neutral zone.