Monaco bomb suspect is a Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man, investigators say
A Ukrainian woman in her 30s, resident in Germany, is the prime suspect in the bombing that wounded oligarch Vadim Ermolaev and his family in Monaco on Monday, investigators said on 2 July.
A three-day manhunt across Europe took a dramatic turn on 2 July when authorities disclosed that the person who left a backpack bomb at the entrance of a Monaco apartment building is a woman who disguised herself as a man.
The attack
Shortly before 9 pm on Monday 29 June, a family of Ukrainian nationals was followed through the streets of the Place des Moulins district. The suspect overtook them moments before they reached their residence, climbed three steps to the entrance, and placed a backpack containing an explosive device. The bomb was detonated remotely seconds after the family entered the building. The oligarch Vadim Ermolaev, his partner Anna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son were caught in the blast.
Suspect shift
Initial scrutiny of security footage pointed investigators toward a male assailant. That changed when a witness who had contact with the suspect provided new information, and further video analysis revealed the bomber was actually a woman using clothing and mannerisms to appear male.
The suspect is capable of disguising herself to look like a man.
She is described as a Ukrainian national in her thirties who normally resides in Germany. Cameras captured her fleeing toward the French border wearing a black vest, white trousers, trainers, and a dark hat. She was also recorded conducting surveillance of the area on multiple days before the bombing.
The manhunt
Following the identification, the suspect was located in a European country that is neither Monaco nor France. Franceinfo, quoting sources close to the investigation, reported that she may have fled to Italy with the help of accomplices. International police cooperation was activated at the request of Monaco's judicial authorities, and a European arrest operation is underway. No formal charges have yet been announced.
Victims and investigation
Ermolaev and his son suffered light injuries. Nasobina was gravely wounded; her prognosis remains life-threatening and both legs have been amputated, according to BFM TV. Investigators are pursuing two main hypotheses: organised crime or foreign interference. A terrorist motive is not currently being considered.
- Suspect seen conducting surveillance around Place des Moulins on multiple days before the attack.
- Suspect follows Ermolaev family, overtakes them, and leaves backpack bomb at building entrance.
- Remote detonation injures Vadim Ermolaev, Anna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son.
- Sources identify suspect as Ukrainian woman resident in Germany; international manhunt launched.
