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UNITED KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE
MONACO BOMBING: INTERPOL HUNTS A UKRAINIAN SUSPECT
DOMINANT ANGLE
London is deciphering the conflicting motivations behind the Monaco attack: a Ukrainian trail, a Russian order, or a criminal fraud — the British press is combining in-depth analysis and the pursuit of suspect Berezovska.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
London, July 4, 2026. An explosion rocked Monaco on the evening of Monday, June 30: a booby-trapped package left in the hall of a residential building on Rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Frolla seriously injured Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, his partner Anna Nasobina, 46, and their young son. Nasobina is in critical condition after having both legs amputated; Yermolaiev, however, is reportedly out of danger.
Interpol issued a red notice on Thursday against Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian citizen living in Germany. She is wanted for attempted murder, planting an explosive device in a public place, and criminal association. Monégasque authorities indicate that she had disguised herself as a man - wearing a wide-brimmed hat, black jacket, and white shoes - and had likely spent several days surveilling the residence before the attack. After the explosion, she left Monaco on foot before picking up a rental car to head to Italy and then Germany, according to the BBC.
Interpol released two photos of the suspect: a woman with medium-length brown hair and a tattoo apparently in the shape of a snake on her right arm. The Daily Mail, which has been covering the story continuously, notes that Yermolaiev was accompanied by his London-based partner at the time of the incident - this British connection contributing to the editorial interest of the tabloids. An intelligence official, cited anonymously, claims that the suspect "had tried to look like a man" but was formally identified by a witness.
The Independent has stood out in exploring motivational theories. The attack could be linked to services related to Kyiv - Yermolaiev having maintained interests in the Russian orbit - or be a Moscow-backed operation, or result from a commercial conflict surrounding organized scams, including call center fraud. Colonel Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence officer, told the Daily Mail: "It was a very well-planned assassination attempt. The bomb planting suggests prior reconnaissance of the victim's habits."
The investigation is being conducted from Monaco with the support of French authorities, who helped identify the suspect "in a particularly short time," according to Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond. Hessian police have also confirmed that they raided an address linked to the suspect in Germany. Berezovska remains at large across Europe, and investigators do not rule out that she may have acted with accomplices.
KEY POINTS
- In the UK, authorities are aware of Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, who is the subject of a red notice by Interpol for attempted murder, planting an explosive device, and criminal association.
- London is following the condition of Anna Nasobina, Yermolaiev's partner, who is in critical condition after having both legs amputated following the Monaco explosion.
- According to Colonel Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence officer, the incident was "a very well-planned assassination attempt" with prior reconnaissance of the victim's habits.
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
The dominant tabloid framing in the UK: London's media outlets amplify sensational details, such as tattoos, disguises, and a London companion, at the expense of geopolitical analysis
Preference for motivational uncertainty: British press covers the three leads, including Kyiv, Moscow, and fraud, without prioritizing or comparing their likelihood
Low regional contextualization: the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and past sabotage incidents in Europe are barely linked to the Monaco affair in the analyzed coverage
SOURCES (3)
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