The woman suspected of planting a parcel bomb that maimed a Ukrainian oligarch and his partner in Monaco has been found shot dead in Kyiv, Ukrainian police say.
Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, was wanted by Interpol for the June 30 attack that left billionaire Vadim Ermolaev, 58, in a critical condition and his companion Anna Nasobina, 46, requiring the amputation of both legs. Ermolaev's 13-year-old son was also injured.
“Anastasiia Berezovska, wanted for Monaco bomb attack, found shot dead in Kyiv; two detained.”
Her body was discovered at around 11pm on Monday, according to Ukrainian outlet Pravda, which cited law enforcement sources. Two suspects have been detained: a serving officer of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and a former law enforcement officer.
Berezovska had been on the run since the explosion, which tore through the entrance of a luxury apartment block on Rue Révérend Père Louis Frolla in the La Rousse district at about 9pm local time. CCTV showed the three victims "returning home peacefully" before being caught in the blast as they crossed the threshold, said Monaco's minister of state Christophe Mirmand.
The explosive device was concealed in a backpack packed with nuts and bolts, the Monaco prosecutor said. The suspect used a remote control to detonate it. One resident likened the sound to "thunder coming from behind the mountains". A witness, Silvano Ippolito, recalled seeing Nasobina "slumped over, covered in blood" with her "feet missing". His wife, a doctor, applied tourniquets before emergency services arrived.
An Interpol Red Notice issued on Friday described Berezovska as dark-haired with a tattoo, possibly of a snake, on her right arm from shoulder to elbow. She spoke German and was born in Ukraine, though Ukrainian sources suggested she may also have held a Kazakh birth, a Russian passport, and lived in occupied Crimea, with Ukrainian documents enabling easy movement within the EU. Those sources also alleged she was pro-Vladimir Putin and had links to organised crime.
Authorities believe she did not act alone. Monaco deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymond pointed to "the relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi" as evidence of accomplices. Two men arrested in Monaco earlier this week were released after investigators found no connection.
Berezovska had initially been disguised as a man, police said. She was seen on CCTV dropping off bags shortly before the blast, wearing a black hat, tracksuit, white jeans and trainers. She fled on foot, then drove to Germany, where police searched her rented flat and car. "Evidence was secured which will be handed over to Monaco authorities," German police said.
But new reports indicate she returned to Ukraine on July 1, having left the country on March 22 last year. Her death now raises questions about whether the network behind the attack has been silenced.